From the 2nd, Masks Will Be Removed Outdoors... Is a 'Terrace Cafe' Considered Outdoors?

Buildings, Vehicles, and Fully Enclosed Structures Are 'Indoor'
Terrace Cafes and Outdoor Wedding Venues Are 'Outdoor'
"Mask Wearing Recommended in Certain Situations Even Outdoors"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the government lifts the outdoor mask-wearing mandate for most situations starting from the 2nd, it also explained the classification criteria for spaces where the distinction between outdoor and indoor is ambiguous.

On the 29th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced the adjustment plan for the outdoor mask-wearing mandate, specifying the indoor criteria as "transportation means such as buses, taxis, trains, airplanes, vehicles, and buildings, structures that are enclosed on all sides and separated from the outside." In other spaces, except for gatherings of 50 or more people, performances, and sports viewing, removing masks does not result in legal penalties.

Park Hye-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters' quarantine support team, explained, "An indoor space is one that has a ceiling or roof and is enclosed on all sides," adding, "If two or more sides are open allowing natural ventilation, it can be considered outdoor."

According to the Disease Control Headquarters, terrace-type cafes with openings on all sides and outdoor wedding venues are considered outdoor. Also, while masks must be worn when watching sports games with 50 or more people at a stadium, wearing masks is not mandatory when standing in line before entering the stadium. However, if people stand closer than 1 meter in line, they fall under the government's mask-wearing recommendation.

On the 29th, a citizen was seen walking in Seoul holding a mask in their hand. The government announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the same day that the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted starting May 2. However, the mask-wearing requirement will remain in place for gatherings of 50 or more people, such as assemblies, events, performances, and sports game viewings, where the risk of infection is high due to crowd density and shouting. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Authorities also explained that the mask-wearing mandate does not apply to outdoor subway platforms. Jeong Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "Indoor subway stations naturally require mask-wearing," and added, "Most outdoor subway stations have roofs but no walls, allowing constant natural ventilation, so they are not subject to the mandate." However, since masks must be worn when riding the subway, passengers should prepare masks before boarding.

The quarantine authorities urged that even in spaces where mask-wearing is not mandatory, people should continue to wear masks when necessary. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, responded to a question about whether mask-wearing is mandatory during school physical education classes and sports days by saying, "In these cases, it is not mandatory," but emphasized, "While these situations are excluded from penalty enforcement, we recommend continuing to wear masks when deemed necessary."