3 out of 4 People Want Indoor Mask Mandate Lifted

‘KCCI Communication Platform’ Survey
53.4% Want ‘Phased Lifting’
21.4% Want ‘Full Lifting’ Response

Source=KCCI

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Three out of four Koreans want the indoor mask mandate to be lifted.

According to a survey conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) through its communication platform regarding the lifting of the indoor mask mandate, 74.8% of respondents expressed a desire to lift the mandate, with 53.4% favoring a phased lifting based on facilities and 21.4% supporting a full lifting, the KCCI announced on the 18th. Meanwhile, 24.8% of respondents preferred to maintain the current mask-wearing mandate.

A KCCI official stated, “Since the full lifting of the outdoor mask mandate last September, demands to lift the indoor mask mandate have been increasing, especially among small business owners such as self-employed individuals, which led us to conduct this survey.”

Regarding the expected benefits of lifting the indoor mask mandate, “restoration of the right to breathe” (40.2%) was the most cited. This is interpreted as reflecting the fatigue and desire for freedom among citizens who have cooperated with mask-related guidelines for over three years since 2020. This was followed by responses citing “consumption expansion” (23.8%) and “waste reduction” (22.8%), confirming public expectations for economic revitalization and environmental protection.

Facilities where the indoor mask mandate should continue were ranked with “public transportation” (47.6%) as the top priority due to its high density and enclosed nature, followed by “schools and childcare facilities” (25.2%), “religious facilities” (13.5%), and “indoor cultural and sports facilities” (7.5%). In contrast, only 5.9% of respondents selected “department stores and large supermarkets,” which have relatively lower density and enclosedness, indicating that most citizens prefer to engage in comfortable economic and consumption activities without masks in indoor spaces where sufficient space is guaranteed.

Regarding the timing for lifting the indoor mask mandate, 39.4% favored lifting it within January, followed by 33.1% supporting lifting it once government criteria are met, and 27.2% preferring to lift it from March after the winter season.

A KCCI official said, “If indoor mask-wearing becomes voluntary, it is expected to positively influence consumer sentiment recovery and invigorate the overall economy, including distribution, dining, beauty, and performances. We hope that the quarantine authorities will make a rational decision to catch all three benefits: infection control, alleviating public inconvenience, and boosting economic vitality.”