"Start and End of the Golden Holiday, Buy Masks and Practice Social Distancing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Starting next week, a golden holiday lasting up to six days will begin, during which public masks can be purchased regardless of the last digit of the birth year on Buddha’s Birthday (April 30) and Children’s Day (May 5), just like on weekends.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 25th, from the 27th onward, public masks can be purchased on legal holidays regardless of the birth year.

On the first day of the golden holiday, April 30, and the last day, May 5, anyone will be able to buy public masks accordingly. However, starting next week, the purchase quantity of public masks will increase from '2 masks per person per week' to '3 masks per person per week,' and the restriction on duplicate purchases allowing only 3 masks per person per week will still apply.

The government views the golden holiday period as the biggest challenge for preventing the spread of COVID-19. With the weather warming up and the holiday lasting up to six days, it is expected that people, fatigued by social distancing measures that have been in place since the 22nd of last month, will engage in outdoor activities. In fact, it is estimated that about 180,000 tourists will visit Jeju during this period.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said the day before, "Many people are expected to prepare for travel and gatherings during the holiday period, but if social distancing is relaxed, there is concern about another cluster infection," and urged, "Please refrain from gatherings, events, and travel until May 5, when social distancing is in effect."

He added, "Administrative measures such as administrative orders for high-risk facilities remain effective until May 5," emphasizing, "Local governments of various tourist destinations, including Jeju Island, may take necessary administrative measures for management depending on the circumstances."

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