South Korea to further relax social distancing rules starting May 6

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South Korea will further relax its social distancing rules starting May 6, allowing a phased re-opening of businesses, as the country has largely been able to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on Sunday.

In a televised meeting with officials, Chung said the government "will allow businesses to resume at facilities in phases that had remained closed up until now, and also allow gatherings and events to take place assuming they follow disinfection guidelines."

Public facilities, such as parks, libraries and schools could reopen in phases, although the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended citizens to exercise with caution.

The new rules also advise those who feel unwell to stay home for three to four days, stay arm's length apart with others in public, and wash hands frequently.

The Korea Professional Football League (K League) announced Friday that its top-flight K League 1 and second-tier K League 2 will both kick off their 2020 season on May 8, Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea on Sunday reported 13 new coronavirus cases, bringing its nationwide tally to 10,793. No new deaths were registered, as the death toll stands at 250.

(Cover: A man wearing a mask walks near the Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, and one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 23, 2020. /AP)