"'Just in front of the house, so it's okay' No-mask selfish group... Citizens 'furious'"

Brief No-Mask Outing in Front of Home... COVID-19 Complacency
Apartment and Residential Areas Practically Mask Enforcement Blind Spots

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] # Kim, a man in his 30s, who works at an office, recently gets furious just thinking about a neighbor he met in the apartment elevator. Kim said, "A man in his 50s got on the elevator without wearing a mask, and when I asked him to wear one, he said, 'I'm just stepping out in front of the house for a moment, so it's not a problem.'" Kim pointed out, "He may think it's just 'a moment' for himself, but what about the health of the neighbors due to 'no mask'? It's truly selfish."

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly recently, some people still attend various gatherings or do not wear masks at all, raising concerns about the spread of infection.

In particular, for 'no mask' cases, a fine of up to 100,000 won has been imposed since the 13th under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Even if a mask is worn, if it is worn on the chin ('chokseukeu') or only covers the nose ('koseukeu') without fully covering the mouth or nose, it is considered as not wearing a mask and a fine may be imposed.

The problem lies in the blind spots of enforcement. For example, if someone goes out briefly to the supermarket in front of their house or to the garbage sorting area without wearing a mask, there is practically no way to sanction this. Residents can collectively recommend mask-wearing to occupants through security guards, but since there is no legal authority to impose fines or enforce penalties, it remains merely a recommendation.

As a result, complaints about not wearing masks and concerns about the spread of COVID-19 inevitably increase. Park, a man in his 30s who works at a company, said, "Isn't it mandatory to wear a mask whenever you go out?" He added, "I saw someone without a mask at a convenience store near my house. It may be comfortable for them, but what if their droplets spread in the confined space of the convenience store? It's really frustrating."

Another man in his 40s, Lee, who works at a company, said, "When I take a walk in the apartment complex at night after work, I also encounter neighbors without masks," and lamented, "Since enforcement is not carried out 24 hours a day everywhere, such things happen." He urged, "Apartment complexes can be considered crowded spaces, so masks must be worn especially in elevators and garbage sorting areas."

Notice Regarding Mandatory Mask Wearing [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, COVID-19 confirmed cases originating from apartments are also emerging. According to the Seoul city announcement on the 25th, 129 new confirmed cases were reported in Seoul from midnight to 6 p.m. that day.

Among them, 2 new confirmed cases (total 66) were related to 'Seocho-gu Sauna 1', and 7 new confirmed cases (total 44) were related to 'Seocho-gu Sauna 2'. 'Sauna 1' in Seocho-gu is a facility attached to an apartment complex with about 600 households, and confirmed cases increased not only among sauna visitors but also among their families, acquaintances, colleagues, and employees of the gym used by sauna visitors and their families.

Given this situation, the government is raising the social distancing level in the metropolitan area to 2.5 and starting strong 'pinpoint quarantine' measures. Operations of saunas, gyms, academies, and other facilities in the metropolitan area, which have become hotspots for group infections, will be suspended. Also, all parties and gatherings among young people during the year-end and New Year holidays are banned.

On the 29th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urged, "While it is important to continue raising distancing levels and restricting facilities and activities, it is even more important for citizens to voluntarily practice distancing by canceling meetings and appointments." They also expressed concern, "If citizens do not cooperate with quarantine measures or feel excessive fatigue, the effectiveness of distancing will inevitably decrease."

They further urged, "Citizens should cancel meetings and appointments, refrain from visiting enclosed indoor multi-use facilities, and if symptoms appear, be sure to get a prompt diagnostic test."