Reasons for Lifting the 'Indoor Mask' Mandate Amid the Winter Reemergence of COVID-19

Omicron Fatality Rate Decreases
Majority of Citizens Have Antibodies
Considering Growth Disorders in Children
Some Concerns Over 'Twindemic'

On the 23rd, a notice regarding mask-wearing was posted at a bookstore in downtown Seoul. On the same day, the government finalized and announced the indoor mask-wearing mandate adjustment plan through a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the government has unveiled a phased plan and specific criteria for lifting the indoor mask mandate, attention is also focused on the background of this decision. With the easing of social distancing measures and the removal of outdoor mask requirements this year, if the indoor mask mandate and the currently discussed isolation requirement for confirmed cases are also lifted, COVID-19 response will effectively be managed at the level of seasonal influenza.

The primary reason behind lifting the indoor mask mandate is that although the Omicron variant and its subvariants, which have driven the COVID-19 wave this year, have high transmissibility, their fatality rate has decreased. As of the 23rd, the cumulative COVID-19 fatality rate stands at 0.11%, slightly exceeding the seasonal flu fatality rate (0.05?0.1%).

However, this figure includes variants like Delta, which had a higher fatality rate, and thanks to vaccination and oral antiviral treatments, the fatality rate of Omicron alone is analyzed to have dropped to the level of seasonal influenza. It also takes into account that the majority of the population has developed antibodies through infection and vaccination. In the first COVID-19 antibody prevalence survey conducted last September, the antibody positivity rate reached 97.4%.

Particularly, it appears that the fact that mask-wearing has become a significant obstacle to language development in children was somewhat considered. The Ewha Womans University Child Development Center conducted developmental screening tests on 2-year-old toddlers from July to September this year, finding that 18.3% of children were suspected of developmental delays. Among those suspected of developmental delays, 82% showed slow development in language areas, and 77% in personal and social skills. This is analyzed to be due to children not being able to see adults’ lip movements and facial expressions because of mask-wearing, which hindered proper language stimulation.

The health authorities stated, "We are aware of concerns that mask-wearing among infants and young children may hinder emotional and language development," but added, "Separate from the phased adjustment plan for the indoor mask mandate, we will continue to monitor concerns regarding infants and young children."

Public fatigue from wearing masks for nearly three years was also reflected. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine recently said at an expert forum, "The moment that most reduces public acceptance of the indoor mask mandate is when people wear masks entering restaurants and cafes but remove them while eating," adding, "It is desirable to shift from a legal mandate to a medical recommendation, and this does not mean encouraging people to stop wearing masks."

However, despite these considerations, concerns remain that discussing the lifting of indoor mask mandates during the current winter resurgence of COVID-19 may be premature. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "In a situation where COVID-19 and influenza are simultaneously spreading, lifting the indoor mask mandate will inevitably lead to an increase in confirmed cases, severe cases, and deaths. There are still worrisome aspects."

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital also expressed concern, saying, "During this winter resurgence, confirmed cases and severe cases and deaths are showing an increasing trend daily, new variants such as BN.1 are rising, and cold weather is creating '3Cs' (close contact, crowded places, and confined spaces) environments, so the quarantine indicators are deteriorating. While countries like the U.S. are announcing response measures to the rise in COVID-19 cases during the year-end and New Year holidays, it is ironic that South Korea is moving in the opposite direction."