Anchor: The daily COVID-19 increase in South Korea dropped below 300 for the first time in more than two months. While some businesses outside the capital region will be able to stay open an additional hour until 10:00 p.m. starting Monday, the government will decide on easing rules in the Seoul metro area after this week's Lunar New Year holiday.
Choi You Sun reports.

Report: The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said as of 12:00 a.m. Monday, 289 additional people have tested positive for COVID-19, raising the country's cumulative total to 81-thousand-185.

It is the first time that the daily infection surge dropped below 300 since the start of the latest epidemic in late November.

Concerns, however, linger over a possible resurgence as group infections continue to be reported ahead of the expected mass movement of people during this week's Lunar New Year holiday.

Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol said on Monday that the government will monitor the situation in the capital region until the end of the holiday, before deciding whether to ease social distancing rules for businesses.

Authorities will also decide whether or not to adjust the current Level Two-point-Five distancing for the capital area and Level Two in other regions, as well as a ban on gatherings of five or more people.

This comes amid protests by business owners against the latest government guidance that kept the 9:00 p.m. deadline for businesses inside the capital region, while extending the allowed hours of operation for those outside through 10:00 p.m., starting Monday.

A group representing the nation's small business owners said three of its members will open at midnight for the next three days in protest. They, however, will not offer service to customers.

The businesses are urging the government to abolish the operation restrictions, which have not been scientifically proven to help. They are also demanding compensation for losses they have suffered from the government.

The government maintains that the decision to ease rules only outside the capital region was inevitable, considering the ongoing epidemic trends.
Choi You Sun, KBS World Radio News.