South Korea will restrict private gatherings to six in greater Seoul area, and eight in the other areas for four weeks starting from next week, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Friday.

After a one-week grace period, most public facilities – including restaurants and cafes – will require proof of vaccination or a negative test for entry.

The first Omicron variant case was detected in South Korea on Wednesday. 

The current caseload was brought up to six when the son of a couple – who tested positive for the new variant previously – also tested positive for it on Thursday.