The South Korean government has delayed announcing adjustments to the current social distancing levels from the previously expected Friday to this weekend.

The postponement comes amid an expanding COVID-19 cluster linked to a network of educational facilities run by a missionary society.

Health Ministry spokesperson Son Young-rae said on Thursday that there is a need for additional analysis and judgment on whether or not a recent surge attributed to a particular religious group is temporary.

The current Level Two-point-Five distancing in the capital area and Level Two in other regions are set to end on Sunday.

The government is also expected to decide whether to extend the ban on gatherings of five or more people ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February.