COVID-19 Exit Strategy in Full Swing... What Are the Remaining Quarantine Policies?

Full Lifting of Outdoor Mask Mandate Starting Today
Mandatory COVID-19 Testing and 7-Day Quarantine for Confirmed Cases After Entry Also Expected to Be Eased

On the 23rd, the government decided to fully lift the outdoor mask-wearing mandate starting from the 26th. Near Gongdeok Five-way Intersection in Mapo-gu, Seoul, office workers are seen walking without masks. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The government has officially launched its COVID-19 exit strategy starting today (26th) by fully lifting the outdoor mask-wearing mandate. As the COVID-19 resurgence shows a clear downward trend, remaining quarantine measures such as same-day PCR testing upon entry and the 7-day isolation requirement for confirmed cases are also expected to be eased.

According to Seoul Metropolitan Government and other local governments, from midnight to 9 p.m. on the 25th, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide across 17 cities and provinces was recorded at 13,679. This is 11,386 fewer than the same time the previous day (20,565). Compared to a week ago on the 18th (18,664), it decreased by 4,985, and compared to two weeks ago on the 11th (35,625), it dropped by 21,946.

The daily new confirmed cases over the past week from the 19th to today were 19,389 → 47,897 → 41,269 → 33,005 → 29,108 → 29,353 → 25,972.

As the downward trend of the COVID-19 resurgence continues, the government has fully lifted the outdoor mask mandate for the first time in about 1 year and 5 months. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that from the 26th, the guideline requiring masks at outdoor gatherings, performances, and sports events with 50 or more attendees will be lifted. Masks will no longer be required at professional baseball and other sports games, outdoor performances, large-scale rallies, outdoor physical education classes, outdoor weddings, outdoor subway platforms, amusement parks, and similar venues.

However, mask-wearing remains necessary in situations where infection risk is high due to dense crowds. The recommended groups for outdoor mask use include ▲ people showing COVID-19 symptoms ▲ high-risk groups such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and unvaccinated individuals, as well as those in close contact with high-risk groups ▲ situations with many people gathered where droplets are generated frequently, such as shouting, singing, or conversations.

The health authorities plan to gradually adjust other COVID-19 prevention measures as well. Remaining measures currently include mandatory COVID-19 testing upon entry, prohibition of in-person visits at vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and care centers, 7-day isolation for confirmed cases, and indoor mask mandates.

At a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 23rd, KDCA Commissioner Baek Kyung-ran stated, "We plan to identify items that can be eased and adjust them step-by-step. The resurgence has stabilized, and we are continuously reviewing adjustment plans that consider the overall impact on prevention efforts, public inconvenience, and public acceptance."