Will Outdoor Mask Mandates Be Lifted Next Week... Caution Also Seen Overseas

Decision on Outdoor Mask Mandate Lift Next Week
"Need to Closely Monitor the Trend," Some Raise 'Cautious' Views
Even in the US, Where Mask Mandate Was First Lifted, Calls for 'Reintroduction' Emerge

On the 14th, citizens are walking wearing masks on Myeongdong Street in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the government plans to decide next week whether to lift the outdoor mask-wearing mandate, some voices are urging caution. There are concerns that once masks are removed, citizens' vigilance toward quarantine measures may become excessively lax. Previously, even in the United States, which lifted the outdoor mask mandate earlier than South Korea, some regions have reintroduced mask-wearing.

On the 15th, the government announced the complete lifting of social distancing measures but stated that it would observe the situation for two weeks before deciding on the outdoor mask-wearing mandate.

Regarding this, Kim Yumi, head of the Daily Quarantine Management Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), explained at the CDCH briefing on the 21st, "We will review (whether to lift the mask mandate) around the end of next week," adding, "Lifting the outdoor mask mandate means that there will no longer be spacing requirements between people outdoors."

The level of COVID-19 infections has been declining recently, with daily confirmed cases falling below 100,000 for several days. According to the CDCH, the number of new confirmed cases on the 22nd was 81,058. This is 9,809 fewer than the previous day's 90,867, marking two consecutive days below 100,000.

However, despite the clear decrease in confirmed cases, some express concerns that lifting the outdoor mask mandate is premature.

Earlier, Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, stated at the committee's COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee (COVID Special Committee) Health and Medical Subcommittee meeting on the 18th, "The Special Committee will carefully review and discuss easing mask-related quarantine measures, including lifting the outdoor mask-wearing mandate."

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is entering the 13th Special Committee on COVID-19 Emergency Response meeting held at the Transition Committee in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 18th. / Photo by Yonhap News

He added, "The public also recognizes that mask-wearing was the most effective administrative measure to suppress infection spread and minimize social damage," and urged, "The government should carefully evaluate and make decisions by closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation after today."

At a staff meeting held on the 13th at Hongik University College of Education Affiliated Girls' High School in Seoul, Chairman Ahn also expressed concerns, saying, "I worry that removing masks might be too hasty a measure," and pointed out, "If masks are removed, people might mistakenly believe that they have returned to normal life regardless of infection risk."

◆Calls for 'Reintroduction' Even in Countries That Lifted Mask Mandates Earlier

Opinions are divided even in foreign countries that lifted the outdoor mask-wearing mandate before South Korea.

Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) have already begun full-scale recovery of daily life by stopping government-led large-scale diagnostic testing or removing indoor and outdoor mask mandates as early as February.

Israel plans to lift the indoor mask-wearing mandate starting the evening of the 23rd (local time). On the 20th, the Israeli Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement saying, "COVID-19 has not disappeared, but special activity restrictions are no longer necessary," emphasizing, "We have learned how to coexist with the coronavirus responsibly and with sound judgment without falling into a panic state."

A citizen of New York State, USA, where the mask mandate has been lifted / Photo by Yonhap News

However, controversy continues over whether lifting mask mandates is truly safe. In particular, in the United States, as the 'Stealth Omicron' variant derived from Omicron spreads rapidly, voices calling for the reintroduction of mask-wearing have emerged in some regions.

In fact, in some U.S. cities where the detection rate of the Stealth Omicron variant has exceeded 90% of all infections, a 'U-turn' has occurred with the reintroduction of mask mandates. For example, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reinstated mask-wearing starting on the 18th.

Regarding this, Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, an infectious disease specialist at Boston Brigham and Women's Hospital, warned, "Across the U.S., especially in the Northeast, more infection cases are occurring," adding, "If these numbers increase, mask mandates may be reintroduced city by city."

South Korea's quarantine authorities also plan to decide on lifting the outdoor mask mandate through careful discussion.

At the briefing on the 21st, Team Leader Kim explained, "Even if the outdoor mask-wearing mandate is lifted, the indoor mask mandate will be maintained for the time being, and even after lifting the outdoor mask mandate, mask-wearing will be 'recommended' for a considerable period," adding, "This is to protect high-risk groups and to block those who may be infected, such as symptomatic individuals."