President Moon Jae-in said Monday the government will introduce a new social distancing scheme next month as the country gears up for full-fledged COVID-19 vaccinations.

Chairing his weekly meeting with senior aides, the president said that public fatigue has accumulated due to quarantine measures continuing for over two months and the livelihood of small business owners is teetering on the edge.

He said that under new distancing rules, uniform enforcement of business closures and restrictions will be kept to a minimum while safety violations will be dealt with more sternly.

Moon said the new measures will allow more independence in economic activities but require stronger responsibility. He said tougher measures against violations will be implemented such as a one-strike rule to conduct airtight quarantine.

The president's remarks imply pending changes to the current five-tier distancing system and an effort to devise better ways to encourage the public's willing participation.

Regarding the pandemic-triggered job losses in the country, Moon said the government sternly recognizes the situation and promised all-out responses, including budget executions and strengthening the employment safety net.