'Mask 5-Day Rotation' in Its 4th Week... Easing Mask Shortage Crisis

Despite Numerous Incidents in Early Implementation
Significant Decrease in 112 Reports Including Store Disturbances
Increased Supply of Public Masks and the Power of Mature 'Citizen Awareness'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The 'Mask 5-day Rotation System,' now in its fourth week, has moved past initial confusion and is showing signs of stabilization. Waiting times for purchases have decreased, and disturbances at public sales points such as pharmacies have significantly subsided. The expansion of public mask supply and the mature civic consciousness are proving to be the driving forces overcoming the 'mask crisis.'

During the first week after the Mask 5-day Rotation System was implemented on the 9th of last month, chaos was continuous. According to the National Police Agency, 112 emergency calls reporting disputes, disturbances, and unruly behavior at public sales points nationwide averaged 72 calls per day during the first week of implementation. On the very first day, a suspect who threatened a pharmacy in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, with a sickle while intoxicated to force mask sales was apprehended. On the 11th of last month, in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, a suspect who threatened by taking photos and saying, "Be careful in the neighborhood. I will kill you," after a dispute broke out while waiting in line to purchase masks was also arrested.

However, in the second week, 112 calls dropped to an average of 32 per day, and by the third week, they decreased further to around 20 calls. Most reports involved only momentary disputes. On-site mask sales were also smooth; among eight pharmacies near a large hospital in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, visited on the 31st of last month, six had stock available, and three pharmacies in front of another hospital were also selling masks without issues. A citizen in their 60s said, "These days, the lines are not long, usually only about 5 to 6 people, so waiting is not a big problem."

A major factor in this change is the expansion of the public mask supply volume. On the first day of the Mask 5-day Rotation System, the supply was 7 million masks, but as of the 31st of last month, it had expanded to 10.19 million masks. Pharmacist Jang Ju-young (33), who operates a pharmacy in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, said, "We used to receive 250 masks per day, but starting this week, we are getting 350 masks daily." The price of KF94 masks on secondhand trading sites, which had been quoted at over 4,000 won per piece, has dropped to the 2,000 won range.

The calm response of civil society also played a significant role. A mask notification website that informs about pharmacy mask stock was created and provides information, and a donation movement of health masks to vulnerable groups and medical staff continues. The 'Good Mask Campaign,' led by Seoul's civil society, currently has 7,738 citizens participating. In addition, the police are working hard to maintain order using various ideas, including base patrols at 5,500 major public sales points, posting order maintenance notices (Yongin Eastern Police Station), establishing mask sales hotlines and creating dedicated maps (Ulsan Jungbu Police Station), and flexible patrols (Sejong Police Agency). A police official emphasized, "We will strengthen patrols until the situation stabilizes to actively support smooth mask sales and purchases."

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