Seoul: President Moon Jae-in of South Korea directed advisers on Tuesday to make greater efforts to prevent the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 type, pushing more people to obtain booster doses as the country grapples with an increase in cases and deaths.

"We are facing a very dangerous scenario," the President warned a Cabinet meeting, "as the number of confirmed cases, critically sick patients, and deaths is on the rise, coupled with the Omicron variant." "Recent breakthrough cases and Omicron's spread clearly suggest that a third dose is critical," Moon added.

According to sources, he appealed for vaccinated persons to obtain their booster doses amid increased concern about omicron, which is potentially more contagious than the Delta version.

So far, 36 Omicron cases have been confirmed, three of which were reported earlier in the day in Seoul. With daily infections hovering at 5,000 and the number of critical cases reaching new highs, authorities had already opted to implement stronger social distancing rules, slowing the "living with Covid-19" campaign.

From Monday to January 2, 2022, the maximum number of individuals allowed at private meetings was cut from ten to six in the greater Seoul area and eight in other places, respectively, from ten and twelve currently.

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