Seoul mandates face masks as COVID-19 cases in South Korea spike

South Korea's capital city Seoul mandated face mask wearing in both indoor and outdoor public areas for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to contain a surge of novel coronavirus infections in densely populated regions.

On Sunday, South Korea recorded 266 new COVID-19 cases, of which 258 were domestically transmitted, authorities said on Monday.

A day earlier, the country reported 397 new COVID-19 cases, the highest spike since March 7, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

In Seoul, people will now be required to wear face masks in public indoor places, as well as crowded outdoor areas, except while eating or drinking starting from Monday.

Seoul Metropolitan Government ordered face masks wearing on public transport and taxis back in May, but the recent surge of infections prompted officials to further tighten social distancing measures.