From next week, the government has decided to increase the number of people allowed for private gatherings from '8 people' to '10 people'.



Business hours for multi-use facilities such as restaurants will also be extended from 'until 11pm' to 'midnight'.



Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom held a meeting of the Corona 19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the government complex in Seoul on the morning of the 1st and announced this policy.



This measure will be applied for two weeks from the 4th of next Monday to the 17th of the following week.



Prime Minister Kim said, "I have heard voices from all walks of life," and "The decision was made after careful consideration, even referring to the opinions of the Presidential Transition Committee."




Prime Minister Kim also said, "If the medical system is stably managed while reducing the number of serious cases and deaths over the next two weeks, we will boldly reorganize the remaining quarantine measures such as social distancing next time."



Some observers are predicting that what was announced today could actually be the last guideline for social distancing, and that a 'completely lifted' would be possible after that.



At the same time, the government has decided to suspend the payment of funeral support, which has been paid in case of death due to Corona.



In the meantime, the government has adhered to the policy of 'cream first, then funeral' in the case of corona deaths, and has provided support to comfort the bereaved families in many cases where the deceased cannot die.



However, as the guidelines have changed recently and 'cream after a funeral' has become possible, Prime Minister Kim explained that the application fee has been suspended.



(Photo = Yonhap News)