Korea's daily Covid-19 tally dropped below 400 for the first time in nearly two months Monday, but the government extended its tight social distancing scheme for another two weeks while allowing some exceptions.

Under the slightly revised antiviral restrictions taking effect on Monday, the government will maintain the Level 2.5 social distancing scheme in the greater Seoul area and a Level 2 scheme for the rest of the country for two more weeks.

The ban on private gatherings of more than five people, and the restriction on business operations after 9 p.m., will also remain effective during this period.

With the ongoing third viral wave slowing down, however, health officials have decided to ease quarantine measures for risk-prone, multiuse facilities. They will allow indoor gyms, cram schools and karaoke establishments in the capital area to reopen on the condition that they strictly adhere to antivirus measures.

For instance, gyms should keep with the maximum capacity of one person per eight square meters and a closing time of 9 p.m, while restrictions for active exercises, such as Zumba dancing and aerobics, will remain unchanged. Facilities caught in violation of such regulations will receive a warning the first time and receive a business suspension for up to 10 days for any further violations.

Quarantine officials will also ease restrictions on cafes and religious institutions in response to criticism that they are excessive.

Cafe customers can eat and drink at such establishments until 9 p.m., and in-person religious activities are available as long as churches and temples keep the number of participants to 10 percent of their total seats in the Seoul metro region and 20 percent for other regions.

However, bans on five entertainment facilities, including bars and Holdem pubs, where customers can drink while playing card games, will remain unchanged.

To minimize travel and parties, the government will also limit reservations for accommodation facilities nationwide to less than two-thirds of the number of rooms and keep its ban on party rooms used as venues for birthday parties.

As part of the nation's continued efforts to contain the virus's spread, health officials have designated Feb. 1-14 as a special antivirus period for the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 12 this year.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun noted that the country would be able to use Regkirona (ingredient: regdanvimab), the first locally developed Covid-19 treatment candidate from Celltrion, from early February.

"If the remaining screening process proceeds smoothly, the government expects that the treatment will be available at quarantine sites from the beginning of next month," Chung said during a daily task force meeting on Monday. "Health authorities convened a panel of experts to review the safety and efficacy of the drug on Sunday, and the government plans to announce the results of the meeting as soon as possible."

Chung asked the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to reach a conclusion quickly based on a strict review of the scientific standards.

The prime minister also addressed concerns regarding the fatalities tied to Pfizer's vaccine. "In Norway, 29 elderly people died after receiving Pfizer's vaccine, raising controversy over the safety of the vaccine," Chung said. "This has great implications for us as we start vaccination next month."

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed 389 new patients, including 366 local infections. The cumulative caseload rose to 72,729 as of midnight Sunday. Imported cases increased to 23 from 20 reported in the previous day.

Fatalities tied to the virus continued to stay in the double-digit range for over a month, as the nation reported an additional 15 deaths, increasing the cumulative death toll to 1,264 and the fatality rate to 1.74 percent. The number of seriously or critically ill Covid-19 patients decreased from 352 to 343, the KDCA said.

An additional 470 patients fully recovered and returned to their everyday lives, increasing the total to 58,723. The country has tested 5,087,220 people since Jan. 3 last year.