In South Korea, infection with the mutant virus confirmed in India has spread, and the number of people infected with the new coronavirus on the 13th and 1st exceeded 1,600 for the first time.
Concerned about the spread of infection from the metropolitan area such as Seoul to the whole country, the Korean government has decided to raise the level of regulatory measures in areas other than the metropolitan area.
According to the South Korean government, the number of newly confirmed infections on the 13th and 1st was 1615, an increase of more than 230 from the highest number on the 9th of this month, the highest number ever.
Of these, the metropolitan area accounts for more than 70% of the total, with 638 people in Seoul, and the metropolitan area was raised to the fourth stage, which has the highest level of regulatory measures, from the 12th.
In addition, while the mutant virus "Delta strain" confirmed in India is spreading, more than 400 people have been confirmed to be infected outside the metropolitan area, and there is concern that the infection will spread nationwide.
In response to this situation, the South Korean government announced that it will raise the level of regulatory measures to the second stage from the 15th, except for some areas other than the metropolitan area.
Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said at a countermeasures meeting on the morning of the 14th, "There is a risk that the virus will spread due to increased movement between regions during the holiday season," and asked for understanding of the tightening of regulations.