<Anchor> The



social distancing that ends this Sunday (22nd) is expected to be extended without breaking the trend of increasing patients. It has been decided to keep the current stage for four weeks before the Chuseok next month, but the authorities are also considering lowering the stage if the situation improves even before that.



Reporter Kim Deok-hyun will tell you the details.



<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 the 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, even before that, if the situation improves, 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 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 from next week will be announced tomorrow morning.  



(Video editing: Kim Jun-hee, VJ: Shin So-young)  



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