Health Authorities Consider 'Outdoor Mask Removal'... Adjustment Plan to be Announced on the 15th
Daily Cases 100,000-200,000, XL Variant Confirmed Domestically, Variables Remain
Ahn Cheol-soo Says "Outdoor No-Mask Is Premature... Speed Adjustment Needed"
Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is speaking at a meeting on COVID-19 prevention measures held at the Girls' High School affiliated with the College of Education, Hongik University, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the government is discussing easing social distancing measures, including lifting restrictions on private gathering sizes, business hours, and outdoor mask mandates, the Presidential Transition Committee has expressed caution regarding the removal of mask-wearing requirements.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), the government is currently discussing a social distancing adjustment plan that will lift restrictions on private gatherings and business hours starting from the 18th.
Additionally, the government is considering eliminating the outdoor mask mandate. It is reported that maintaining the mask requirement only at gatherings and events where droplets can spread rapidly, such as concerts or large-scale events, is a likely option.
Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at CDSCH, stated at the regular briefing on the 11th, "The important thing is indoor mask-wearing, and even outdoors, activities such as gatherings require more caution, including maintaining a 2-meter distance. Although the risk of COVID-19 reinfection and resurgence is high, we are separately reviewing the removal of the outdoor mask mandate."
However, there are concerns that it is premature to lift the mask mandate even outdoors. Although the Omicron variant wave is declining, there are still 100,000 to 200,000 new confirmed cases daily, and on the 12th, the recombinant variant 'XL,' a combination of Omicron and stealth Omicron, was detected for the first time in Korea, indicating ongoing uncertainties.
The Transition Committee expressed a negative stance on the government's consideration of lifting the outdoor mask mandate. On the 13th, Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the Transition Committee, said at a COVID-19 prevention measures meeting held at the Girls' High School affiliated with Hongik University College of Education in Mapo-gu, Seoul, "There are still 100,000 to 200,000 confirmed cases daily. (Lifting the mask mandate) is too hasty. We need to control the pace."
Ahn added, "The risk of infection is lower outdoors, so masks can be removed. However, the problem is that if people take off their masks, many will mistakenly believe that normal life has fully returned, which raises concerns about further spread of infection."
In this regard, the quarantine authorities stated that they will gather opinions from experts, the Transition Committee, and others to announce an adjustment plan on the 15th. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at the regular briefing on the 13th, "We are discussing while considering the opinions from the Transition Committee side as well. After collecting opinions, we plan to announce the finalized plan on Friday."
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