South Korea is tightening up social distancing measures nationwide, as the country battles with an increase in daily new infections.
On Saturday, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo announced new steps to curb the spread of the new coronavirus after 332 new cases were reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number — the highest daily figure since early March — marks the ninth consecutive day of triple-digit increases.
“We are now in a very dangerous situation that could trigger a massive nationwide spread of COVID-19,” Park said, according to The Associated Press.
Asia’s fourth-largest economy was widely praised by the global community for its early efforts in bringing the epidemic under control, through advanced contact tracing and widespread testing.
But recent outbreaks, mostly reported in the Seoul metropolitan area, have raised fears of a second wave of infections.
Last week, coronavirus restrictions were implemented in the Seoul region; but they have now been expanded to the rest of the country.
According to the new restrictions, health officials have ordered the closing of entertainment venues — including clubs, karaoke bars, buffet restaurant cafes — and banned spectators from sporting events.
Churches, a major source of recent outbreaks, as well as beaches, will also be closed, according to the AP.
Stricter measures — such as limiting gatherings to no more than people, and cancelling sports events — could still be implemented, if there’s no sign of a slowing down of the spread, Korea CDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said.
South Korea’s national caseload is now at 17,002, including 309 deaths.