The government said the nation has yet to meet the criteria to raise social distancing to the highest Level Three. 

Health Ministry official Son Young-rae said Thursday that there are two criteria considered when raising the social distancing level to the highest phase: the loss of the quarantine control net and the collapse of the health care system.  

Son said the loss of the quarantine control net refers to the nation seeing a limit to its capacity of conducting epidemiological surveys. The collapse of the health care system would signify that the sector is no longer capable of handling patients.  

Son said the government is expanding epidemiological surveys and preemptive testing as well as the number of sickbeds and treatment facilities.  

The official went on to say that the government has launched discussions on the possibility of going to Level Three, reiterating that there will be no sudden upgrade in the distancing status.