The government will announce adjustments to current social distancing measures on Saturday after observing virus conditions this week. 

Health Ministry spokesperson Son Young-rae said in a Friday briefing that related ministries and local authorities under the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will meet to discuss this on Saturday and new guidelines will be announced thereafter.

On Sunday, the government had extended existing social distancing rules for two additional weeks through February 14 while also extending the ban on gatherings of five or more people. But it had said at the time that revising other rules would be determined after further observation, citing various risk factors and variables.

Meanwhile, Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said that while the daily COVID-19 tally is gradually dropping, the risk of infection in daily life and through person-to-person contact continues. 

Yoon said guidelines will be drafted in a way to strengthen quarantine but reduce side effects. He also stressed voluntary public participation and cooperation rather than forced unilateral measures.

The government is also gathering opinions from experts and industry representatives to discuss revising social distancing after next week's Lunar New Year holiday.