SEOUL, South Korea: As the Omicron surge is beginning to show signs of waning, South Korea announced that it will lift most COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions next week, including a midnight curfew on restaurants, though the public will still need to wear masks.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum told a coronavirus response meeting that beginning 18th April, the midnight curfew on restaurants and other businesses will end, along with the limit on private gatherings set at 10.

The government will also remove a 70 percent cap on capacity at religious facilities, as well as allow rallies and other events with 300 or more people.

“Wearing masks is still a very important means to protect ourselves. It is inevitable to maintain the indoor mask mandate for a considerable period of time,” Kim said.

Depending on the virus situation, the government will review whether to lift the existing mask restriction in two weeks, Kim said.

According to Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol, the government will end the seven-day self-quarantine requirement for COVID patients in late May.

After scaling back its once-aggressive tracing efforts, South Korea has effectively limited deaths and critical cases through widespread vaccinations.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, some 87 percent of the country’s 52 million people are fully vaccinated, with 64 percent having received booster shots.

Meanwhile, the government said it will expand the rollout of second COVID-19 booster shots for people over the age of 60.