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(LEAD) Coronavirus: new cases at the lowest in 5 days, strict restrictions on arrivals from abroad

SEOUL, 08 Jan. (Yonhap) – Additional cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) fell to the lowest level in five days on Friday due to a slowdown in cluster infections as authorities are currently tightening controls on arrivals of the ‘foreign to prevent entry of more transmissible variants.

The country added 674 new cases of Covid-19, including 633 local infections, bringing the total number of cases to 67,358, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Friday’s figure is the lowest since January 2, when the number of infections rose to 657 largely due to a lower number of tests carried out during the New Year’s holiday. The daily figure has remained. below 1,000 for four consecutive days.

A total of 35 people died from Covid-19 within 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatal cases to 1,081.

Despite the slowdown in contamination thanks to screening tests and strict distancing rules, the authorities remain vigilant in the face of continuous cluster infections in healthcare centers and Protestant temples, as well as the dissemination of the new variant reported for the first time in United Kingdom.

The country has reported 15 cases of the new variant of Covid-19 identified in the United Kingdom, including a case from South Africa, which has caused an extension of the ban on flights from the United Kingdom until January the 21st.

From today, foreigners arriving at South Korean airports must present a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before leaving for the country. The same measure will be applied to arrivals in ports from January 15.

In a context where the weariness caused by the pandemic is increasing among residents and owners of small businesses, the authorities have eased certain restrictions on sports halls which were forced to close their doors so that they can operate with a maximum of nine people as of today.

Level 2.5 social distancing measures, the second highest level in the five-level system, are in effect for the Seoul metropolitan area and level 2 for the rest of the country until January 17.

Private meetings of more than four people are prohibited nationwide during the period cited.

High-risk entertainment establishments, including bars, nightclubs and karaoke bars in greater Seoul will be allowed to reopen under certain conditions when the current Level 2.5 measures expire on January 17.

Among the newly identified local infections, 186 cases were reported in Seoul and 236 in Gyeonggi province surrounding the capital. Incheon, west of Seoul, has reported 30 new cases.

A prison in east Seoul has counted a total of 1,173 patients since its first confirmed case on November 27, becoming the second largest source of contamination after the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, a city in southeastern Seoul. countries, with more than 5,000 cases.

The total of patients in serious or critical condition reached 404, compared to 400 the day before.

The total number of people discharged from hospital after a full recovery was 48,369, 720 more than a day earlier.

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