S.Korea to extend curbs amid Omicron surge, serious COVID-19 cases

South Korea said on Friday it will extend stricter social distancing rules for two weeks amid a persistent surge in serious coronavirus infections and concerns over the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant. The government reinstated the curbs on Dec. 18, six weeks after easing them under a 'living with COVID-19' scheme, as record-breaking numbers of new infections and serious cases put a huge strain on the country's medical system.