<Anchor> The



distance system that will be applied from next week will be announced today (20th). The current social distancing phase, including phase 4 in the metropolitan area, is expected to be extended as it is. The opening hours of restaurants, etc. will be reduced from 10 p.m. to 9 p.m., but there is a possibility that up to four people can be vaccinated. The implementation period of the social distancing system to be announced today is also expected to increase from two weeks to four weeks.



Reporter Kim Deok-hyun reports.



<Reporter> This



is a restaurant in Sinchon, Seoul.



Compared to the end of June, just before the 4th phase of the metropolitan area distancing began, the number of guests has decreased significantly.



Sales are almost cut in half, and restaurant operations are also being considered.



[Kim Jin-won / Operating a restaurant in Sinchon, Seoul: I am constantly suffering from torture of hope, so there is nothing as exhausting as that. Now, I'm so exhausted that I don't think I'm in a situation to complain about anything. Maybe I should take a short break from the store (operating)... .]



The 4th step in the metropolitan area and 3rd step in the non-metropolitan area, which ends this Sunday, puts more weight on the extension side.



The Living Quarantine Committee, an advisory body for social distancing policy, discussed a plan to extend the current social distancing last night, but it was decided to extend it by 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks.



The plan is to prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible by raising the primary vaccination rate to 70% before Chuseok, when the great movement begins.



However, if the situation improves even before that, a plan to lower the level is being considered.



Considering the difficulties faced by the self-employed and small business owners, a plan to give incentives to those who have completed vaccination is also being discussed.



Those who have completed the vaccination will be released so that up to 4 people can gather even after 6 pm.



A plan to advance the business limit from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. is also under review.



The adjustments to the social distancing steps that will take effect next week will be announced this morning.