South Korea relaxing social distancing rules

Starting on July 1, South Korea will allow private groups of six or less to gather together in the Seoul metropolitan area, Reuters reported.

Following the government’s announcement on Sunday, the revised guidance would also allow certain businesses like cafes, restaurants, and nighttime entertainment spots to stay open until midnight, instead of 10 p.m.

South Korean Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said during a news briefing that the number of people allowed to gather in private settings could inch up to eight people in the Seoul area assuming the country does not see a surge in news case, Reuters reported.

The announcement by the South Korean government comes as the country has been able to keep the number of coronavirus cases down as more of its citizens become vaccinated.

Reuters reports that nearly 30 percent of South Korea has been vaccinated. New daily infections have remained under 600 for at least the last week. As of Sunday, South Korea had reported 429 new cases; the highest number of new cases was on Wednesday at 545.  

Overall, South Korea has reported around 151,000 COVID-19 cases, with approximately 2,000 who died from the disease.

Several countries are still struggling to contain cases and new variants as they rush to get people inoculated. Brazil reached a grim milestone of 500,000 deaths on Saturday. The Associated Press reports that only 11 percent of their people have been fully vaccinated.

The U.S., which has largely been able to keep their own infection rates down, surpassed over 600,000 deaths from coronavirus since the pandemic began.