The South Korean government says it will extend for a month its restriction on issuing short-term visas to travelers from mainland China, due to concerns that ending the measure could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases.

The government introduced the current restrictions in early January and initially planned to drop them at the end of the month. But it decided to extend the date to the end of February.

At a meeting on Friday, government officials reported that they confirmed 1,404 people entering the country tested positive over the past two weeks, and that 890 of them were from China.

Officials pointed out that if coronavirus cases surge in China after the Lunar New Year holidays, it might lead to a spike in infections in South Korea.

However, the officials said they will consider lifting the restrictions ahead of schedule if the situation improves in China.

The South Korean government will also continue to require Chinese visitors to take a PCR test before and after their arrival through the end of February.

Beijing stopped issuing short-term visas to South Koreans on January 10, in retaliation for Seoul's decision to limit the entry of people from China.

China may make another move in response to South Korea's latest announcement.