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South Korea relaxes social distancing as schools slated to open on May 13

Schools and other public facilities in South Korea are slated to reopen this month as the country eases strict implementation of social distancing measure starting May 6.
Only eight new COVID-19 cases were reported the Centers for Disease Control, bringing the total tally to 10,804. Of this number 9,283 have fully recovered as of May 4.
“South Korea will implement the everyday life quarantine scheme starting Wednesday,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a government meeting.
“Gatherings and events will be permitted under the condition that they follow disinfection measures,” he added.
Feared to become Asia’s next epicenter of COVID-19 last March, South Korea stepped up its efforts to set up more test centers and intensify contact tracing. It even launched a mobile contact tracing app that can speed up the process. The number of COVID-19 cases has since dropped significantly.
The education ministry announced that high school seniors will be the first to go back to schools on May 13 and the rest will follow in phases, reported the Strait Times.
This, despite some health experts warn of a possible recurrence of COVID-19.
Jeong Eun-kyeong, director-general of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, admitted the threat of infection if “still there but not high.”
To prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools, Jeong Eun-kyeong said strict prevented measure such as regular classroom disinfection, temperature checks, as well as requiring everyone to wear face mask at all times — except when having meals.
Some 18 million cotton masks and 14 million hygiene masks have been secured by the ministry in anticipation of the reopening of schools.

Staff Report

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