(LEAD) Military lifts vacation ban for troops as gov't eases social distancing scheme
(ATTN: ADDS new virus case reported in Yangju base in paras 6-8)
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry decided to lift a vacation ban for enlisted service members after the government eased social distancing guidelines on the new coronavirus, officials said Monday.
Since mid-August, the military authorities banned rank-and-file troops from vacationing and off-base movement, as the country saw a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases and implemented a tougher social distancing scheme.
However, as the guidance was adjusted to the lowest level starting Monday following a slowdown in new cases in recent weeks, the defense ministry decided to begin allowing service members to go on vacation normally starting Monday, according to the officials.
"We will have service members fully follow antivirus measures over the course of their off-base trips," deputy spokesperson Col. Moon Hog-sik told a regular briefing.
"We will recommend troops to postpone their vacationing if they are stationed in regions that report confirmed cases," Moon said, adding that some restrictions on their one-day off-installation travel and meeting outside visitors will remain in place as part of continued efforts to stem the spread of the virus.
On the same day, a soldier based in Yangju, north of Seoul, tested positive for the new virus, raising the total caseload reported in barracks to 154.
The soldier was in quarantine after four other service members at his unit tested positive.
The newly confirmed patient tested negative on an initial coronavirus test conducted following the series of infections, but he tested positive earlier in the day after showing symptoms, such as a headache, on Sunday, officials said.
Nationwide, the country reported 97 new virus cases, including 68 local infections, raising the total caseload to 24,703, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Service members walk on a street in the border town of Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, on June 21, 2020. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
All BTS members renew contract with BigHit
-
Defense minister nominee calls for scrapping inter-Korean military accord
-
S. Korea, U.S. launch joint underwater operation for Korean War remains
-
Unification minister calls for cooperation with U.S. against N. Korea's suspected arms deal with Russia
-
S. Korea, Turkey push to sign military information protection agreement
-
All BTS members renew contract with BigHit
-
(LEAD) Court rejects arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee over corruption charges
-
S. Korea, U.S. launch joint underwater operation for Korean War remains
-
Unification minister calls for cooperation with U.S. against N. Korea's suspected arms deal with Russia
-
Defense minister nominee calls for scrapping inter-Korean military accord
-
Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, U.S., Japan condemn N. Korea's stipulation of nuclear policy
-
(LEAD) N. Korea stipulates nuclear force-building policy in constitution
-
(7th LD) Travis King in U.S. custody after expulsion by N. Korea: Washington officials
-
Royal palaces in Seoul available for free during Chuseok holiday
-
Traffic jam expected to ease late Thu., 1st day of Chuseok holiday