S Korea has big case jump a day before easing

South Korea is reporting its biggest daily jump in new coronavirus cases just a day before it plans to relax its physical distancing rules.

The government said Wednesday it confirmed 794 new cases over the past 24-hour period, about 80% of them in the greater Seoul area, where more than half of South Korea’s 52 million people live.

Starting Thursday, authorities plan to permit social gatherings of up to six people — an increase from the current four. Restaurants, cafes and other businesses will be allowed to stay open until midnight, rather than 10 p.m. And eased distancing guidelines will be applied outside the Seoul region.

Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol says the government will restore tough distancing rules if the outbreak gets more serious.