Boseong-gun to Impose Fines for Not Wearing Masks Starting from the 13th of Next Month

Active Promotion of Mandatory Mask Wearing

[Boseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] From the 13th of next month until a separate lifting, those who do not wear masks will be fined up to 100,000 KRW for violating administrative orders, and managers and operators of facilities that violate quarantine management guidelines will be fined up to 3 million KRW.

Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 22nd that to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and block community transmission, after a period of promotion and guidance on mandatory mask-wearing, a fine of 100,000 KRW will be imposed for not wearing masks from the 13th of next month until a separate lifting.

Places where mask-wearing is mandatory include 11 types of high-risk facilities such as entertainment and karaoke bars, singing practice rooms, indoor group exercise, as well as public transportation, assembly and protest sites, medical institutions, nursing facilities, and other multi-use facilities where unspecified large numbers of people gather.

However, exceptions apply to those under 14 years old, people who find it difficult to wear masks on their own, those with medical opinions stating difficulty breathing when wearing masks, and situations such as washing face, eating, or being underwater.

If a mask is worn but does not fully cover the mouth and nose, a fine will be imposed. Also, wearing mesh-type or valve-type masks, scarves, or clothing items covering the face that are not recognized by the government as health masks, surgical masks, or droplet-blocking masks will be subject to enforcement.

The quarantine authorities recommend wearing masks indoors and outdoors when it is difficult to maintain a 2-meter distance from others, but since it is difficult to mandate mask-wearing in all facilities and places, administrative order target facilities and places where mask-wearing is essential have been selected.

A health center official said, “Protecting the health of residents during the COVID-19 crisis is the top priority, and proper mask-wearing is the best quarantine rule and the best vaccine,” adding, “Although it may be inconvenient, please actively cooperate with compliance to quarantine rules.”