Private tuition centres shut for the first time and traffic was lighter in South Korea’s capital on the first working day of tighter social distancing rules designed to halt a second wave of coronavirus outbreaks.

South Korea took the unprecedented step on Friday to restrict the operation of restaurants, coffee shops and so-called cram schools in the Seoul metropolitan area, with churches, nightclubs and most public schools having already been closed, according to Reuters.

Less cars and people were on the streets of Seoul during the morning rush hours as more companies encouraged employees to work from home.