[Report] First Day of Mask Mandate Lift... Wearing Masks at Subway Stations, Just Watching Others' Reactions

Mandatory Mask Wearing Lifted After 27 Months Since October 2020
But "Putting It On and Taking It Off Is Annoying"
Hospitals and Public Transport Still Require Masks
"Variant Risks Still Exist"

Except for some facilities, indoor mask-wearing shifted from mandatory to recommended on the 30th. Citizens are wearing masks while waiting for the train at Sinchon Station on Subway Line 2 in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

"Not a single person without one?"

Ko Ju-young (alias, 67), who runs a street stall at Seoul Station subway station, set out on her morning commute on the 30th full of curiosity. She wondered how many people at the subway station would be taking off their masks. However, on that day, there was no one waiting for the subway without a mask. Everyone waited for the subway wearing masks and boarded once the doors opened. People who got off the subway continued to wear masks until they reached the exit leading outside. Ko said, "I was curious how many people would be waiting for the subway without masks, but it seems people are still cautious," adding, "Since COVID-19 is not completely over, it’s natural to be cautious."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 30th, the mask-wearing mandate was lifted starting that day. Except for some facilities such as public transportation and hospitals, masks are no longer required indoors. This is the first time in 27 months since mask-wearing was mandated in October 2020 that this preventive measure has been removed. Places where people wait for public transportation, such as subway stations, train stations, bus stops, and airports, are also included in the mask mandate lift. The health authorities explained that the winter resurgence of COVID-19 has passed its peak, and severe cases and deaths have stabilized, leading to the lifting of the mask mandate. However, they strongly recommend wearing masks in enclosed, crowded, and close-contact spaces with poor ventilation or where many droplets are generated due to shouting or conversations among many people.

Although the mask mandate has been lifted, people have not yet accepted it. This is because they still have to wear masks on public transportation anyway, and wearing masks is not very uncomfortable. Most people wore masks even in places like the streets or inside Seoul Station’s train station where masks are no longer required. Some people took off their masks to make phone calls but drew the attention of passersby. Kim Young-han (80) at Bulgwang Station in Seoul said, "It’s no different from usual, and since the weather is cold, I didn’t think about taking off my mask separately," adding, "It’s bothersome to keep putting it on and taking it off."

There were also complaints that people still feel self-conscious about taking off their masks. Since COVID-19 has not completely disappeared, they worry about possibly infecting others. On the 22nd, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped below 10,000 to 9,227 but rose again to 35,096 three days later. Office worker Lee Yu-min (29) said, "I resolved to take off my mask indoors when I went to work, but I gave up because everyone in the office was wearing masks," explaining, "The fact that it takes a resolution to take off a mask itself is evidence that people have not yet accepted the policy."

People Reluctant to Remove Masks Easily... Concerns Over Confusion in Hospitals and Pharmacies

At 7:46 a.m. on the 30th, Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Visitors who had only covered their mouths with masks outdoors adjusted their masks in front of the ground entrance, and most entered the hospital wearing masks properly.

Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Confusion even arose. It was not a complete lifting of mask-wearing but a partial one, and people did not fully understand this. On the morning of that day at Severance Hospital, some patients wore masks below their chins while talking, not wearing them properly. Inside the hospital, announcements continued, saying, "Mask-wearing is mandatory. Especially in examination rooms and wards, please wear masks." Nurse Lee (32) at a private hospital said, "So far, there have been no major problems due to not wearing masks," but added, "Since masks are not required in other indoor areas, confusion is expected."

The same applies to pharmacies located in complex facilities. While masks can be removed in places like marts or train stations, masks must be worn when visiting pharmacies inside buildings. Kim (37), a pharmacy staff member located inside Seoul Station, said, "If more people take off their masks, there is concern about confusion as we have to guide each person to wear masks," adding, "I just hope people continue to wear masks indoors."

Experts interpret that citizens are still cautious about COVID-19 because of the possibility of new variants emerging. Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said, "Although the mask mandate has been lifted, citizens place more weight on the recommendations," adding, "We are managing the infection status of variant viruses through entry restrictions from China, but risks still exist."