KF80 or Higher Masks Purchased Even in Prisons... Strengthening Quarantine Measures in Correctional Facilities

On the 27th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continued, a citizen was walking without a mask on Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The government has decided to revise related guidelines to allow prison inmates to purchase health masks.

On the 29th, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), the Ministry of Justice reported measures to strengthen quarantine management in correctional facilities at the CDSCH meeting.

According to these measures, previously, inmates were only allowed to purchase cloth masks for security reasons, but from now on, they will also be able to purchase health masks of KF80 or higher.

Additionally, when social distancing is at level 2 or higher, outsiders entering security zones must submit a negative PCR test certificate. A provision requiring the wearing of protective suits if necessary has also been introduced.

For correctional facility staff, unnecessary events, gatherings, dinners, and outings are prohibited. Attendance is allowed only for unavoidable occasions such as the weddings and funerals of direct relatives, but quarantine rules such as wearing masks must be followed. Measures to minimize physical and item inspections of inmates to reduce contact within prisons and to strengthen quarantine measures such as wearing sanitary gloves during unavoidable cases like new inmate inspections have also been prepared.

Furthermore, additional inspections will be conducted once a month for vulnerable facilities such as those dedicated to elderly inmates, and support for medical personnel and quarantine supplies will be expanded.