South Korea Health authorities on Friday announced its decision to extend the toughest social-distancing rules in the capital area for a fortnight more amid the continued Covid-19 resurgence. The Level 4 social-distancing guideline, the highest in the country's four-tier quarantine rules, will be kept in place in Seoul, its surrounding Gyeonggi province and the western port city of Incheon until September 5, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said.

It came as the country's fourth resurgence indicated no sign of abating, according to reports.  The fourth resurgence was attributable to cluster infections in the greater Seoul area. Of the new cases, 549 were Seoul residents. The number of people residing in Gyeonggi province and Incheon who tested positive were 633 and 117 each.

Under the Level 4 rules, the business hour of restaurants and cafes will be curtailed to 9 p.m. from the previous 10 p.m., but the number of people who are allowed to gather after 6 p.m. will be increased from the previous two to four, including two people who are fully vaccinated.

On Friday, South Korea reported 2,052 more Covid-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 232,859. It marked the third-highest daily tally since the country's first case was found in January last year. The daily caseload hovered above 1,000 for 45 straight days.

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