Sangmi Cha

SEOUL (Reuters – South Korea announced Friday that it would remove all restrictions on cafes and restaurants during operating hours and create a vaccine passport to protect high-risk places like bars and gyms. This is part of its effort to live with COVID-19.

Officials stated that the first phase of restrictions will be implemented on Monday, and then last for a month. All restrictions should be removed by February.

South Korea is still struggling with high daily incidences, but these numbers are far lower than those of other countries worst affected, and the risk of serious infection and death is low.

South Korea reached its target of vaccination 70% of its 52million inhabitants last week. This is paving the path for normalization. South Korea has now successfully vaccinated approximately 72% and gave at least one vaccine to more people than 79.8%.

South Korea is currently fighting the fourth wave infection, although it was not under government lockdown. The country has had to deal with this since July, when tight gatherings were made and social distancing restrictions were put in place.

You can bring up to half of your spectators to outdoor sports events. Up to 100 people are permitted to attend concerts or musicals regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. Movie theatres will allow people who have been vaccinated to eat popcorn or soda.

To visit high-risk places such as night clubs and bars, indoor gyms or saunas, you will need to show proof of vaccination.

South Korea’s vaccine app has been launched. It claims that blockchain technology protects privacy and ensures security.

No matter what vaccination status they have, private parties will still be permissible with up to 10 persons nationwide. Restaurants and cafes however will only allow up to four people from unvaccinated groups.

The authorities have stated that they will be focusing on mortality and hospitalisation rates and expanding self-treatment options for people with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

Experts and the Korean Medical Association (KMA), have cautioned that COVID-19 may rise due to the change in strategy.

South Korea reports 2,124 COVID-19-related cases Thursday. That brings the total number of infections to 360 536 with 2,817 deaths.