The government is likely to tighten quarantine rules through the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19. 

Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said in a briefing on Thursday that it’s unlikely the government will promptly ease social distancing rules and lift a ban on personal gatherings of five or more people. 

Yoon said though the average number of daily infections has remained at around 500 this week, the figures are still significantly higher compared to the first and second waves of the pandemic.  

Saying there is a possibility of resurgence if social distancing rules are eased too soon, Yoon said the government will adjust levels after taking into account such possibilities. 

His remarks suggest that the government will keep in place Level Two-point-Five social distancing for the Seoul metro area and Level Two for other regions as well as extend a ban on personal gatherings of five or more people that is set to expire on Sunday.  

The government is scheduled to finalize adjustments to quarantine rules during a meeting on Saturday. 

The government is also said to be separately devising special quarantine rules for the Lunar New Year holiday which will fall from February 11 to 14 this year.