Health authorities have called for strict observance of social distancing rules ahead of the upcoming Chuseok holiday, warning a recent spike in new COVID-19 cases in the greater Seoul area could spill over to non-capital regions. 

Kim Ki-nam, a senior official at the state task force on vaccination, said in a regular media briefing on Thursday that an uptick of infections in the capital region is showing little sign of subsiding some 10 days ahead of Chuseok. 

He said unless they manage to contain the spike in the metro area, there is a risk the surge could spill over to all parts of the country due as people traveling across the nation to visit their families during the major holiday. 

The official urged the public to restrain from appointments and meetings and thoroughly abide by distancing rules leading up to the holiday. 

Meanwhile, when asked why the fourth wave of the pandemic has not abated for more than two months, authorities said the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has yet to reach a desirable level and also pointed to a jump in travel and people-to-people contacts.