|
 The figure of 8,571 on Monday exceeded the previous peak
https://www.reuters.com/
world/asia-pacific/skorea-reports-7850-new-covid-19-cases-highest-daily-total-kdca-2021-12-15
of 7,848 in December, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention
Agency (KDCA) said, as Omicron became dominant in the country last
week, though it is less deadly than previous variants.
Small business owners with shaven heads held a protest urging the
government to lift the curbs, which include a 9 p.m. curfew for
diners, as they sought compensation for losses.
"I haven't been able to pay monthly rent, so I'm facing an eviction
suit and had to fire employees," said Yang Hee-kyoung, one of the
group of 300 protesters.
"I have no life," added Yang, who runs a bar in the southern city of
Busan.
Other demonstrators were tearful as they stood before a banner that
sought "realistic compensation" for COVID-19 losses.
South Korea's tough regimen of vaccine passes limits unvaccinated
people to dining out alone, or making use of takeout or delivery
services.
It reinstated tougher distancing curbs
https://www.reuters.com/business/
healthcare-pharmaceuticals/skorea-extends-distancing-curbs-ahead-holidays-omicron-wave-2022-01-14
last month as record daily infections and critically ill patients
threatened to swamp the medical system before Omicron drove a
rebound last week off daily tallies that almost halved to about
4,000.
The surge has fuelled worries about chances of a new wave of
infections ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday that begins on
Saturday, when tens of millions travel nationwide to meet families.
[to top of second column] |
 "It is no different from adding fuel to raging
flames if many people move around the country
and meet each other," said Prime Minister Kim
Boo-kyum, who has urged against travel and
gatherings during the break.
Health officials said Omicron would probably
account for more than 90% of new infections
within two to three weeks, while daily numbers
could reach 20,000 to 30,000 or more.
From Wednesday, mandatory isolation for the
vaccinated will be cut to seven days instead of
10, in a bid to free up resources for those who
are critically ill.
The extended curbs triggered a backlash from
small business owners, while a court ordered
https://www.reuters.com/business/
healthcare-pharmaceuticals/skorea-extends-distancing-curbs-ahead-holidays-omicron-wave-2022-01-14
temporary exemption for teenagers and large
stores from vaccine mandates in the capital,
Seoul as a legal battle heats up between the
government and citizens.
South Korea, with a population of 52 million,
has a tally of 749,979 infections and a death
toll of 6,588, in what has largely been a
COVID-19 mitigation success story.
More than 95% of adults are fully vaccinated
with nearly 58% having received a booster dose,
KDCA data showed.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting
by Dogyun Kim and Daewoung Kim; Editing by
Richard Pullin and Clarence Fernandez)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
