With business restrictions eased in areas outside the capital region from Monday, the government plans to decide on whether to make the same move for the greater Seoul area as well after monitoring the situation for a week.

The 9 p.m. curfew has been extended to 10 p.m. for some 580-thousand businesses outside of the capital region, including restaurants, cafes, indoor sports facilities, and karaoke rooms. 

Seoul and its surrounding areas of Gyeonggi Province and Incheon remain under the curfew.

Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol said on Monday that the government will decide whether to extend the 9 p.m. limit to 10 p.m. for the capital region after closely monitoring the situation until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. 

The minister said that the government is also preparing for possible adjustments in current social distancing levels through consultation with experts and civic groups.