[Report] "It's Convenient to Buy Immediately" On the First Day of Mask 5-Day Rotation Abolition, Pharmacists and Citizens Feel 'Relaxed'

Abolition of the 'Public Mask 5-Day Rotation'... Purchase Regardless of Day
Pharmacists in Jongno Area Pharmacies Meet Citizens Buying Masks at Ease

Citizens purchasing masks at a pharmacy in Jongno, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st, the first day of the abolition of the 'Public Mask 5-Day Rotation System.' Photo by Im Juhyung, intern reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporters Lim Joo-hyung and Min Jun-young] "Usually, I would have had to wait until Thursday, so this is convenient."

On the afternoon of the 1st, when the government abolished the public mask 5-day rotation system, citizens met on the pharmacy street in the Jongno area of Seoul generally expressed that the removal of the 5-day rotation system was convenient.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), from this day forward, anyone can purchase public masks at pharmacies nationwide on any day they wish. However, those aged 19 and older can purchase up to 3 masks per week as before, and those 18 and under can buy up to 5 masks.

At around 1 p.m. that day, there were about seven citizens at a pharmacy visited by reporters to buy masks. Compared to the previous mask 5-day rotation system, there were no long lines or customers waiting to buy masks. Both pharmacists and customers appeared relaxed without any rush.

A job seeker A (27), who was coming out carrying three bags of masks bought at a nearby pharmacy, said, "I rushed out of the house and forgot to bring a mask, but I bought one after learning that the public mask 5-day rotation system was abolished." He added, "It was convenient because I could purchase without restrictions based on birth year."

Another woman in her 60s, B, met at a different pharmacy, said, "I lost my mask on my way back from lunch, but luckily the 5-day rotation system was abolished today." She added, "If the 5-day rotation system had continued, I would have had to wait for the day I could buy a mask."

A mask purchased at a pharmacy in Jongno on the afternoon of the 1st. Due to the abolition of the five-day mask purchase system, masks can now be bought regardless of the day of the week. Photo by Juhyung Lim, intern reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

A man in his 40s, C, who was coming out after purchasing a mask at a nearby pharmacy, said, "Nothing has changed from usual," but added, "It's good that I can go to the pharmacy without considering the date."

Pharmacists also showed a relaxed attitude. Pharmacist D (68), who has been operating in Jongno 4-ga for over 10 years, said, "Nothing has changed significantly. Only the 5-day rotation system was abolished, and we are operating as usual."

Pharmacist E (65), working at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, expressed satisfaction, saying, "During the mask 5-day rotation system, it was awkward to turn away customers who came on the wrong date, but thanks to the abolition, work has become much easier."

On the first day of the abolition of the public mask purchase 5-day rotation system on the 1st, a citizen is buying a mask at a pharmacy street in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that, as the mask supply situation has improved, anyone can now purchase public masks at pharmacies nationwide on any desired day starting today. Those aged 19 and over can purchase 3 masks per person as before, while elementary, middle, and high school students under 18, as well as kindergarten children, can purchase up to 5 masks. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Pharmacist F (29), working at a pharmacy across the street, also explained, "When the public mask 5-day rotation system first started, there were times when long lines formed at pharmacies around here. Now, that no longer happens."

The price of public masks remains at 1,500 won per mask. If one family member presents a family relation certificate and their own ID, they can purchase masks on behalf of all family members.

Meanwhile, considering the increasing demand for 'dental masks' (surgical masks), the MFDS has decided to more than double the current production volume of surgical masks, which is about 490,000 masks.

Additionally, the MFDS plans to designate 'droplet-blocking masks,' which can be worn for long periods and have droplet-blocking effects, as 'quasi-drugs' and will actively support their approval and production going forward.