Lifting of Outdoor Mask Mandate...Expectations for Indoor Mandate Lift
Surge in Mask Manufacturers Due to COVID-19, Demand Declines
On the 26th, when the outdoor mask mandate was fully lifted, some commuters on their way to work were seen walking without masks on Gwanghwamun Street in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From this day, the mask-wearing requirement was also lifted for outdoor gatherings, performances, and sports events with 50 or more attendees, marking the complete removal of the outdoor mask mandate after about 1 year and 5 months. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] As the outdoor mask-wearing mandate has been lifted, attention is turning to the outlook of the mask manufacturing industry, which rapidly expanded in market size due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of mask manufacturers surged, but with demand now declining, changes in the industry seem to be emerging.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), from the 26th, the guideline requiring masks to be worn at outdoor gatherings, performances, and sports events with 50 or more attendees has been lifted. Accordingly, masks are no longer required at professional baseball games and other sports events, outdoor performances, large-scale gatherings, outdoor physical education classes, outdoor weddings, outdoor subway platforms, amusement parks, and similar venues.
The health authorities stated that the indoor mask-wearing mandate will be maintained for the time being while further discussions continue. At a briefing of the COVID-19 Special Response Team, Jeong Ki-seok, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ COVID-19 Special Response Team and member of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, emphasized, "The lifting of the indoor mask mandate will occur once the seventh wave has largely passed lightly and some stability is achieved, so that everyone does not remove masks all at once, avoiding confusion."
Nevertheless, with the easing of quarantine measures, some citizens have expressed heightened expectations for the lifting of the indoor mask mandate. Shin (34), an office worker, said, "Wearing a mask all day in the office is very uncomfortable, and the fatigue I feel after work is even worse," adding, "Since the outdoor mandate has been lifted, I have high hopes that the indoor mandate will disappear soon as well."
In this situation, the outlook for the mask manufacturing industry, which saw a rapid expansion in market size, is drawing attention. Masks were a representative product that benefited from the COVID-19 boom, and as demand increased with the spread of COVID-19, related industries exploded in number. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the number of mask manufacturers, which was only 137 in January 2020, increased more than tenfold to about 1,600 by the second half of last year. From last year through March of this year, 461 additional manufacturers were added, further expanding the market size.
On March 15, 2020, when the five-day rotation system for public masks was in effect, citizens lined up in front of a pharmacy in Mapo-gu, Seoul to purchase masks. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
While the number of manufacturers steadily increased, mask demand has entered a downward trend, putting the industry in a precarious position. According to data submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to Go Min-jung’s office of the Democratic Party of Korea, only 30.4% of registered manufacturers (1,591 companies) reported mask production performance in the first quarter of this year. About two-thirds of the companies had no mask production performance at all during the first quarter.
Moreover, due to growing fatigue among citizens regarding mask-wearing, there are concerns that mask demand could sharply decline if the mask-wearing mandate is fully lifted. Kim (28), who works in the service industry, said, "I have to talk a lot in my job, but wearing a mask all the time is cumbersome and makes me short of breath due to lack of oxygen," adding, "If COVID-19 ends, I think I won’t even look at masks for a while."
On the other hand, some believe that due to the immune effects felt from prolonged mask-wearing, masks will continue to be used as everyday items even after the mandate is fully lifted. Choi (42), a housewife living in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, said, "Since wearing masks, my children’s minor illnesses have definitely decreased," adding, "Because I can feel it physically, I think if it ends, I will keep wearing them to maintain health." According to a Korean Research survey conducted from the 12th to 16th of last month, 75% of respondents said they would continue wearing masks indoors regardless of government measures.
Baek Kyung-ran, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), is announcing the results of the large-scale antibody positivity rate survey and mask-wearing mandate at the government Seoul office briefing room on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, the government strongly recommends wearing masks outdoors in crowded situations where the risk of infection is relatively high. The outdoor mask recommendation applies to: △ people with suspected COVID-19 symptoms △ high-risk groups and those in close contact with high-risk groups △ situations where many people gather and generate droplets through shouting, singing, or talking.
Baek Kyung-ran, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at a briefing on the 23rd, "The indoor mask-wearing mandate will be further discussed by the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee regarding the epidemic situation, evidence, criteria, and timing for easing," adding, "We will make decisions after comprehensively reviewing various concerns and effects."
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