South Korea has reported 77 new coronavirus cases as authorities remained on heightened alert for a potential flare-up of new infections during the long Chuseok holiday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Thursday confirmed 67 local infections and 10 imported cases from the previous day, raising the cumulative total to 23,889.
There were also two more virus-related fatalities, bringing the death toll to 415.
The government has warned there could be another surge of COVID-19 if transmissions get out of control as many people travel or head to their hometowns to reunite with family.
As a precaution, a special period of Level 2 social distancing with extra measures to curb the spread of the virus will be enforced until October 11.
Masks are mandatory in all public spaces while indoor gatherings of 50 or more people are banned as well as outdoor assemblies of 100 or more.
In the greater Seoul area, operations of high risk facilities, including bars, clubs, karaoke rooms and certain indoor sports centers, will be suspended over the period.
The country has so far recorded a total of 21,666 coronavirus recoveries.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
