With "Many Questions About Outdoor Masks... Considering Abolishing PCR Test Within 1 Day of Entry"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] On the 29th, the People Power Party held a COVID-19 prevention party-government consultation to discuss lifting mask mandates and abolishing PCR tests within one day of entry.

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the 'People-Centered COVID-19 Prevention Party-Government Consultation' held at the National Assembly in the morning, "Many advanced countries leave mask-wearing to individual discretion, and Taiwan is also considering lifting the mandatory mask-wearing." He added, "Although the COVID-19 situation is stabilizing, we will closely examine the overall situation, including the seasonal impact and the possibility of a 'twindemic' with influenza, and establish prevention measures accordingly."

Sung Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also said, "While the mask-wearing mandate remains in indoor or densely populated outdoor areas and for high-risk groups, it is time to adjust prevention measures for facilities where effectiveness has decreased or infection risk has lessened to enable the public's swift return to daily life." He requested, "Please positively consider abolishing the PCR test within one day after entry, which has lost its effectiveness."

He added, "Face-to-face visits should be allowed in vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and nursing homes so that the elderly can share warm moments with their families."

Lee Ki-il, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "It has already been 2 years and 9 months since COVID-19 emerged. Overseas entry PCR tests have been eliminated, and the outdoor mask mandate has been lifted. We will respond flexibly considering medical prevention."

Baek Kyung-ran, director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "We will improve prevention measures that have decreased in effectiveness after expert review," but added, "However, since there is still risk due to increased indoor activities in winter, we will prepare thoroughly."