The South Korean government will consider easing some social distancing rules after monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 epidemic this week.

Yoon Tae-ho, a senior Health Ministry official, said on Wednesday that the adjustments will be finalized after Friday.

Upon extending enhanced social distancing, including a ban on gatherings of five or more people, until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday next week, the government had said it would review easing some rules.

Some speculate that authorities may ease restrictions on business operations that currently require them to close by 9:00 p.m.

Stressing that social distancing is the strongest defense against the virus, Yoon said the government will seek ways to strike a better balance between quarantine measures and minimizing socioeconomic side effects.