South Korea eases some social distancing rules as new coronavirus cases drop

South Korea has on Sunday extended its social distancing policy for additional 16 days but offered some relief for churches and sporting fixtures after reporting a drop in the number of the new coronavirus infections.

The Asian country confirmed on Sunday eight new coronavirus cases, the lowest in two months.

This is the first time since February 18 for South Korea to report a single-digit daily increase in new infections. The figure brings its total infections to 10,661.

The slightly relaxed measures mean high-risk facilities like churches would no longer have to remain shut down and sports matches such as soccer can resume without an audience.

“It is safest to maintain the intensive social distancing, but it isn’t easy realistically. We need to find a middle ground,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a televised meeting of government officials.

“If we can maintain a stable management at the current level, we will shift to ‘routine social distancing’ from May 6,” Chung added.

Health authorities have said the step would allow a reopening of the economy while at the same time maintaining guidelines on disinfection and preventing the spread of the virus in citizens’ daily lives.