'Mask 5-Day Rotation' Implementation D-1... 2 Masks Per Person Per Week, ID Required

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] The 'Mask 5-Day Rotation System,' which restricts mask purchases by day of the week based on birth year, is set to be implemented tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, individuals will be limited to purchasing only 2 masks per week at pharmacies.

While the full implementation of the 5-day rotation system is expected to somewhat alleviate the mask shortage, initial confusion is inevitable.

This purchase restriction will expand to post offices and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart one week later. Until then, anyone can buy one mask per day per person at post offices and Hanaro Mart.

According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on the 8th, starting tomorrow, mask purchases at pharmacies will be limited to 2 masks per person per week.

With the introduction of the mask purchase 5-day rotation system, the days on which masks can be purchased will also be restricted based on birth year. Purchases are allowed only one day per week from Monday to Friday, according to the last digit of the birth year.

On Mondays, people whose birth year ends in 1 or 6 can buy masks; on Tuesdays, those ending in 2 or 7; on Wednesdays, those ending in 3 or 8; on Thursdays, those ending in 4 or 9; and on Fridays, those ending in 5 or 0. If unable to purchase on weekdays, all birth years can buy masks on weekends.

To buy masks, individuals must visit in person and present an official ID such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport. Pharmacies will use a duplicate purchase verification system to prevent anyone from buying more than 2 masks per week.

Unused quotas for the week will not be carried over to the following week.

In principle, parents are not allowed to purchase masks on behalf of their children.

Minors must present their passport or student ID along with a resident registration certificate to purchase masks themselves. If accompanied by parents, they can purchase masks using the parents' ID and resident registration certificate. Disabled persons can have a proxy purchase masks if the proxy carries the disability registration card.

However, related guidelines are expected to be revised to allow proxy receipt for the elderly or minor children.

This purchase restriction will expand to post offices and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart one week later, as these locations will also be connected to the duplicate purchase verification system. Until then, anyone can buy one mask per person per day at post offices and Hanaro Mart. The selling price of masks is 1,500 won at pharmacies, post offices, and Hanaro Mart.

The daily supply is about 250 masks per pharmacy and about 100 masks per post office and Hanaro Mart location.

Until today, individuals can buy 2 masks per person at pharmacies. However, since 2 masks can be purchased per person over the 3 days from the 6th to the 8th, if masks were already bought on the 6th or 7th, additional purchases are not allowed. Pharmacies open on holidays, called Holiday Keeper Pharmacies, can be checked on the website (www.pharm114.or.kr).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.