South Korean prime minister, Kim Boo Kyum on Friday announced that tighter contact restrictions will be applied to the South Korean capital Seoul and the surrounding region from July 12.

He said that the decision is coming in light of the unabated rise in coronavirus infections.

“The highest level of the government’s new four-stage plan for restrictions would take effect for the greater Seoul area.

“A complete lockdown is not envisaged under this plan, the order would initially apply for a period of two weeks.

“Private gatherings are to be limited to a maximum of four people before 6 pm and two people after that,’’ he said.

According to the rules, bars and nightclubs will have to close, no spectators will be allowed into stadiums.

Churchgoers will only be able to watch services online and only relatives will be allowed to attend weddings and funerals.

Schools are also to return to online classes from Wednesday.

The health authorities on Thursday said 1,316 people tested positive for the virus and are the highest number of new infections recorded daily in the country since the pandemic began.

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Of the new cases, the majority were in Seoul and the surrounding region.

The total number of cases has amounted to 165,000 with 1,000 cases being exceeded on Tuesday for the first time since late December.

South Korea has come through the pandemic relatively well so far. However, only about 30 per cent of the 51.3 million inhabitants have been vaccinated.