The South Korean government relaxed social distancing rules on Monday as part of a broader plan to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions by the end of February, Yonhap news agency reported.

The three-phase "living with COVID-19" scheme was launched as the country's new daily infections fell below 2,000 for the first time in five days. 

Under the relaxed rules, social gatherings of up to 10 are allowed without vaccination requirements, but indoor mask mandates will remain in effect.