The Mart and Mart Pharmacy Are Different... 'Confusing' Mask Guidelines

Indoor Mask Wearing Changes from 'Mandatory' to 'Recommended' Starting the 30th
Masks Can Be Removed in Marts and Shopping Malls but Must Be Worn Inside Pharmacies

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] From the 30th, the indoor mask-wearing mandate has been lifted except for some facilities such as public transportation and hospitals. However, confusion continues among citizens as some indoor mask-wearing mandatory facilities remain.

From this day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has shifted the government-level mask-wearing mandate to a recommendation. Accordingly, mask-wearing is now voluntary not only in schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers but also in large supermarkets, shopping malls, senior centers, gyms, swimming pools, and more.

However, to protect high-risk groups from COVID-19, the indoor mask-wearing mandate remains in infection-vulnerable facilities, medical institutions and pharmacies, and public transportation. Infection-vulnerable facilities include ▲nursing hospitals ▲long-term care institutions ▲mental health promotion facilities ▲welfare facilities for the disabled, and public transportation includes ▲buses (including charter buses) ▲railways ▲subways ▲passenger ships ▲ferries ▲taxis ▲aircraft, among others. The mask mandate applies only while onboard, so masks can be removed at bus terminals or subway station platforms.

Although the mask-wearing mandate was changed to a recommendation after 27 months, confusion persists among citizens regarding mask use. Even in places where mask-wearing is voluntary, if the location falls under one of the three mask-wearing mandatory spaces designated by health authorities (infection-vulnerable facilities, public transportation, medical institutions/pharmacies), masks must be worn. Violating mask-wearing guidelines results in a fine of up to 100,000 KRW regardless of the number of violations.

On the 30th, at Sinchon Station on Subway Line 2 in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, where indoor mask-wearing has been changed from mandatory to recommended except for some facilities, a notice about the adjustment of the indoor mask-wearing mandate on public transportation is posted. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

For example, masks are not required in large supermarkets, department stores, or shopping malls, but masks must be worn in pharmacies located within large supermarkets. Also, masks can be removed in general gyms or locker rooms, but if the area is within an infection-vulnerable facility, masks must be worn. Mask-wearing is not mandatory in educational and childcare facilities such as kindergartens, schools, and academies, but it is mandatory on school transportation vehicles classified as public transportation.

However, even within infection-vulnerable facilities, masks can be removed when in a private space such as a single room or a residential-type facility with cohabitants. Masks must be worn when staying in common areas such as hallways or lounges.

Since local governments can separately designate subjects for fines related to indoor mask-wearing mandates, it is necessary to confirm the mandatory mask-wearing facilities separately. To prevent confusion regarding the criteria for mask-wearing mandates, health authorities will post mask-wearing guidelines in mandatory mask-wearing facilities to inform that they are 'mandatory mask-wearing facilities.'

Experts emphasize that mask-wearing remains highly effective and necessary, urging voluntary mask use when needed. Health authorities strongly recommend mask-wearing in cases such as ▲having suspected COVID-19 symptoms or contact with someone showing symptoms ▲being in a high-risk group or contact with high-risk individuals ▲recent contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases ▲being in poorly ventilated 3C (closed, crowded, close-contact) environments ▲situations with many people densely gathered involving activities that generate droplets such as shouting, singing, or talking.