The government is considering allowing family gatherings and visits to nursing facilities during next month's Chuseok Thanksgiving holiday while assessing the COVID-19 situation.

Senior Health Ministry official Son Young-rae said on Friday that a decision on holiday quarantine measures will be finalized after observing the virus situation and collecting expert opinions through next week.

The government last year had advised against family visits during the Chuseok holiday and the Lunar New Year holiday earlier this year.

The official said while Level Four social distancing in the capital area and Level Three in other regions have yet to bring a turnabout, it has managed to slow down the spread that had jumped by up to 50 percent on-week.

Amid accelerated vaccinations, Son expected virus-reducing effects to pay off starting in mid- to late September.