Childcare centers in the greater Seoul area will be closed from Monday, as the most stringent distancing level takes effect for the region. 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday confirmed the plan to enforce the compulsory closure of childcare centers in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province as outlined by the initially announced protocols for the new distancing scheme. 

The greater capital region had postponed transitioning into the new four-tiered distancing system by two weeks until Wednesday of next week. 

However, earlier on Friday, the government announced a change of plan. The Seoul metro area will switch to the new system from Monday, kicking off with the most stringent Level 4 rules for two weeks. 

“Emergency childcare service” at childcare centers in the region will still be available but will be provided for limited hours and dates, with the number of teachers at those institutes required to be minimized.