Seoul City has announced what is effectively an emergency no-assembly order past 9 p.m. for facilities placed under general monitoring. It's an effort to curb COVID-19 infections as the capital city has recorded another new high in daily cases.

Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said Friday that starting Saturday for two weeks, the city has decided to turn its lights off past 9 p.m.

Under the new measures, movie theaters, internet cafes, video game arcades, academies and study rooms, amusement parks, department stores, supermarkets and beauty-related businesses must all close their doors at 9 p.m. in the evening.

This is in addition to the current Level Two social distancing rules in the metro area, which bans entertainment establishments from opening while restaurants, cafes and indoor sports venues must close by 9 p.m. 

Mom and pop stores measuring less than 300 square meters will be allowed to open for people to buy necessities while restaurants can still offer delivery and takeout.

Public facilities including museums, galleries, libraries, concert halls and gyms will be shut down altogether regardless of hours. However welfare centers will be partially open to provide essential care service.

Public transport will also be cut back 30 percent from 9 p.m. The reduction will apply to buses from Saturday and subway services from Tuesday.

The acting mayor said the goal is to lower Seoul's daily infections to below 100 in the next two weeks.