South Korea has extended its social distancing curbs for two weeks amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, while allowing vaccinated people some latitude, its prime minister said.

The country's fourth Covid-19 wave has shown few signs of abating six weeks after the toughest level four distancing rules, which include a ban on gatherings of more than two people after 6pm, were imposed in the greater Seoul area.

As part of the extended restrictions, authorities will require restaurants and cafes in the metropolitan area to close an hour earlier at 9pm until September 5, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum told a Covid-19 response meeting.

In the same region, where previously only two people could gather after 6pm, one or two other fully vaccinated people can now join them, 14 days after their last shot, Kim said.

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