ITO,
They are hiring normal SO's, but at a much slower rate.
There are still people that have been short listed and haven't been given interview dates.
I am not sure, though I assume they have temporarily stopped short listing others since there is already a big number of short listed and others that are only waiting for a date of joining. (I could be wrong about them not short listing anymore).
I think you cannot apply as a normal SO online anymore.
Good Luck!