[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Starting from the 30th, the indoor mask mandate has been lifted for most facilities except for some such as public transportation and medical facilities. There is a forecast that by May, masks may no longer be required even in places where the mandate currently remains.
Jung Ki-seok, head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team and chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated at the regular briefing on the 30th, "After the announcement of the second phase, which states that masks are not mandatory but recommended in all facilities and places, I believe that by this May, it will be sufficient to not wear masks even when it is not mandatory." However, he added, "This should be done while reviewing materials that come out after sufficient discussions centered on the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee or each headquarters."
According to the quarantine authorities, from this day, the first phase adjustment has been made, changing the indoor mask mandate to a recommendation. In all facilities such as restaurants, cafes, gyms, companies, and academies, masks are practically not required. However, to protect high-risk groups, the mask mandate remains in public transportation such as subways, buses, and taxis, infection-vulnerable facilities (nursing hospitals, long-term care institutions, mental health promotion facilities, welfare facilities for the disabled), and medical institutions (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies). A second phase adjustment will be made in the future to lift the mask mandate even in these facilities depending on the COVID-19 situation. The prerequisite is that the COVID-19 crisis level, currently at 'Severe,' must be downgraded to 'Alert' or 'Caution,' or the legal infectious disease classification of COVID-19, currently at level 2, must be lowered to level 4.
Except for some facilities, indoor mask-wearing shifted from mandatory to recommended on the 30th. Citizens are seen wearing masks while moving at Sinchon Station on Subway Line 2 in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Jung emphasized that even in places where mask-wearing is not mandatory, masks should be worn ▲if you belong to a high-risk group for COVID-19 or have frequent contact with high-risk groups, ▲if you are a confirmed COVID-19 patient, have suspected symptoms, or have been in contact with such individuals, ▲if you are in a 3C (closed, crowded, close-contact) indoor environment, ▲or if you are in a densely packed situation where shouting or similar activities generate many droplets. He said, "COVID-19 is still a dangerous disease," adding, "Among 1,000 confirmed cases aged 60 and over, 3 die; among 100 confirmed cases aged 80 and over, 1 dies. There is no denying that it is much more dangerous than the flu, especially for the elderly."
He also stressed the importance of increasing immunity through the updated vaccine. As of this day, among approximately 14.2 million people classified as high-risk, about 8.3 million (60%) have immunity either within 6 months after infection or within 4 months after their last vaccination. Jung said, "Getting the updated vaccine is the safest and fastest way to build immunity," and urged, "those belonging to high-risk groups to participate more actively in receiving the updated vaccine, and I ask the government and local governments to make greater efforts as well."
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