COVID-19 CASES BACK TO TRIPLE DIGITS

[Anchor Lead]

Korea reported 143 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, putting the figure back to triple digits. Nearly 80 new cases came from Seoul and surrounding areas, prompting health authorities to warn that the social distancing guidelines could be raised to level 1.5.

[Pkg]

Yeoksam Station in Seoul's busy Gangnam-gu District. Three station employees and eight of their friends and family were tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 13 new cluster infections linked to a building in Seoul's Seocho-gu District were found since the first confirmed case from that location was reported last Tuesday. Three additional cases were linked to a securities firm in Yeongdeungpo-gu District, signalling that the virus is spreading fast in workplaces. Authorities found eight more cases associated with a nursing facility in Dongdaemun-gu District. The disease has also spread from a medical facility in Gunpo city and a nursing facility in Anyang city to a childcare center and a nursing home. For the past week, Korea saw a daily average of 88.7 confirmed cases with the number in the capital region steadily rising to 65. 4 cases. Health officials say the disease is gradually outpacing their tracking and containment efforts. Concerns are growing over the possibility of social distancing guidelines being toughened for the Seoul metropolitan area.

[Soundbite] PARK NEUNG-HOO(CENTRAL DISASTER AND SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES HEADQUARTERS) : "If the current transmission trend continues, the social distancing guidelines for the Seoul metropolitan area may have to be raised to level 1.5. So the government is strengthening its disease control efforts."

Meanwhile, starting Wednesday, those boarding flights to China from Korea will have to undergo two COVID-19 tests before departure. This new regulation is part of the Chinese government's toughened disease prevention measures for people entering the country from overseas. Passengers on regular flights have to be tested twice within 48 hours prior to departure date, while those on temporary flights will have to be tested first within 72 hours and for the second time within 36 hours. Prospective travelers must be tested at medical institutions designated by the Chinese embassy in Korea and pay for their own tests. The Korean government plans to notify the new measure to those reserved for flights to China after Wednesday. As the fine for not wearing a mask is to be raised to 100,000 won starting Friday, the government plans to provide masks at public locations so people can easily acquire them.