오늘부터 내달 7일까지 전 장병 휴가 중지•회식도 금지<br />A surge in COVID-19 cases at military bases has prompted the South Korean military to strengthen its measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.<br />Kim Ji-yeon has more on the heavy restrictions placed on troops under the military's elevated level two-point-five social distancing measures... the second-highest on the five-tier system.<br />The South Korean military has started enforcing tighter social distancing measures... banning all low-ranking officials and cadets from taking vacations or off-site trips.<br />The measures will last from Friday until December 7th.<br />This is the fourth time this year that the military has enforced such a ban due to the coronavirus outbreak.<br />This current ban was sparked by sporadic cluster infections... including clusters involving newly enlisted soldiers in Yeoncheon and an army unit in Cheorwon this week.<br />Up until now, cadets' stationed in regions with social distancing levels of one-point-five or lower ...were allowed to take vacations and one-day trips to "safe" areas... where there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in a week.<br />Vacations for senior military personnel, though, have been restricted since Tuesday.<br />The military's level two-point-five social distancing measures... mean service members can't have private meetings or gatherings during off-duty hours.<br />In-person religious gatherings and business trips are also banned.<br />As for drills, necessary outdoor training will be conducted in a way to minimize contact with civilians while indoor training programs are to be limited.<br />Also, bringing in private guest instructors for various educational programs will be banned during this period.<br />Seoul's defense ministry warned of heavy penalties for those who violate these restrictions and are found responsible for spreading the virus.<br />Since the start of the outbreak, the military has seen a total of 347 cases, of which 167 are still in treatment... according to an official tally released on Friday.<br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.<br />
