The government has warned against complacency even as the level of new COVID-19 cases have dropped in recent days, urging the public to continue its participation.

In a Wednesday briefing, Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said the average number of daily domestic infections over the past week was 593, down from 833 the previous week.

But he added that it is not yet time to lower our guard and asked for continued vigilance. Yoon said restrictions on businesses can be eased when the spread continues to decline, and current distancing measures can be eased when the third wave of the outbreak is clearly suppressed. 

Authorities will announce new social distancing rules on Saturday as the current guidelines are set to expire on Sunday.