(Bloomberg) --

South Korea has reached its goal of fully vaccinating more than 70% of its population against the coronavirus, a precondition the government set for an easing of restrictions.

About 35.9 million of the nation’s 51.3 million residents had been fully vaccinated as of 2 p.m. local time Saturday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said in a statement. 

The government had targeted a 70% vaccination rate for it to ease anti-virus restrictions, the statement said.

Asia Business Daily reported earlier that the government may begin easing rules from around Nov. 9, after it has fully vaccinated 70% of the population. South Korea is considering lifting restrictions on operating hours for restaurants and coffee shops from early next month, a health ministry official said Friday, adding that a detailed plan will be announced on Oct. 29.

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