Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Recently, South Korea has seen a significant increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19, the vast majority of which are concentrated in Seoul. The Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

As of 18 August 2020, South Korea has recorded 246 new cases of coronavirus infection, the highest in the past 5 months. The total number of patients in the country for the entire time of the pandemic has reached 15.5 thousand, the deaths - 305, the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Research under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

In this regard, Seoul is taking new measures to prevent another wave of coronavirus.

1) The authorities decided to declare the second level of alarm (out of possible three) of the epidemiological danger in the capital region. Until the end of August this year sports and cultural events are prohibited, meetings with more than 50 people are recommended to be canceled or postponed.

2) In areas of the South Korean capital, the newest bus stops have appeared, equipped with systems that block the penetration of all kinds of viruses. It is noted that in order to enter "smart stops", citizens need to go through a scanner that determines the temperature. If it is higher than +37.5 degrees, then the doors will not open. Temperature scanners are located on two levels - for adults and children.

3) On 17 August 2020, the government announced changes to the treatment system in the country for foreign citizens infected with COVID-19. If foreigners living in Korea become infected on the territory of the country without traveling abroad, then they will be treated at the expense of the government. Foreigners who have violated the 14-day self-isolation regime after entering the country will be required to compensate all expenses for their treatment.

This decision also applies to foreign guests who provide false documents confirming the absence of coronavirus. According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the cost of treatment and nutrition in a hospital is from US$4,000 to US$8,000.

In general, experts believe that due to timely taken additional measures, Seoul will be able to contain the increase in cases of the disease. The use of the latest smart stop technology and the cancellation of public events will prevent infected people from staying in confined spaces, where the likelihood of transmission of the virus is particularly high.