South Korea’s capital recorded its highest-ever number of new coronavirus cases, 291, on Thursday, while nationwide there were 629 cases — the largest total in nine months. Amid criticism of the government’s recent handling of the pandemic, it is considering tightening public health restrictions.
That criticism — that the government has been too timid in tacking the current third-wave of infections — follows international praise for South Korea’s aggressive response to the initial outbreak in February.
“We have no room left for retreat. We will stop Seoul after 9 p.m., starting tomorrow,” Seoul’s Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup told reporters.
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