"Too Many People Not Wearing Masks" Is 'Everyday Social Distancing' Okay?

COVID-19 Cases Stabilize... Government Ends 'Social Distancing' from the 6th
Netizens "More People Not Wearing Masks", "Too Early for School Reopening"
Experts "Pandemic Can Occur Anytime... Must Stay Vigilant"

As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has dropped to single digits, showing signs of stabilization, the government has decided to end 'social distancing' from the 6th and transition to a daily quarantine system. However, it has been reported that some citizens are expressing anxiety due to instances of personal hygiene not being maintained recently, such as not wearing masks. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Joohee Kang] "There are too many people not wearing masks," "Is social distancing in daily life really okay?"

As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea has dropped to single digits and stabilized, the government has decided to end 'social distancing' starting from the 6th of this month and transition to a daily quarantine system.

However, there have been recent cases where personal hygiene is not well maintained, such as not wearing masks, causing some citizens to express anxiety that the number of COVID-19 cases may rise again. Experts have warned that if daily life quarantine guidelines are not properly followed, another infectious disease pandemic could occur.

A 27-year-old office worker, Mr. A, who visited Jeju Island during last week's golden holiday, said, "I brought extra masks and hand sanitizer just in case I might cause inconvenience during the trip, but I was surprised to see many people not wearing masks at various tourist spots." He added, "Even when boarding the bus, the driver asked passengers to wear masks, but it was not well observed. The infectious disease outbreak is not completely over yet, but it seems many people are letting their guard down because the number of confirmed cases has decreased."

He continued, "I was uneasy throughout the trip, worried that a single infection could lead to a cluster outbreak," and expressed concern, saying, "If 'social distancing' ends like this, people's vigilance might weaken."

The government announced on the 3rd that it will end 'social distancing' and transition to a daily quarantine system that continues 'distancing in daily life' starting from the 6th, after the golden holiday ends.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 that "It has been 18 days since the general election, which recorded a high voter turnout, but community infections have remained low and cluster outbreaks have significantly decreased." He added, "Although internal and external risks remain, the situation is generally controlled within the quarantine network. We now intend to transition to distancing in daily life based on the high civic awareness shown by the people."

He also said, "We will proceed with the phased return to school for children," and added, "The specific timing and method for school reopening will be announced tomorrow (the 4th)."

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced the five key personal quarantine rules for 'Everyday Social Distancing' on the 22nd / Photo by Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

However, many posts expressing anxiety about the government's implementation of 'distancing in daily life' and the decision on the school reopening schedule have been posted recently on online communities.

In a post on an online community, a netizen named Mr. B wrote, "Recently, as the number of confirmed cases has decreased and the weather has gotten hotter, many people have stopped wearing masks because of sweat on their faces," and pointed out, "Children are more vulnerable to hygiene management, so on hot days like this, would children wear masks and sit still? It seems premature to reopen schools under these circumstances."

On the other hand, some netizens responded positively to the government's decision, saying, "If we keep worrying and scrutinizing everything, school reopening will never be possible," and "We have overcome the feared situations like the general election voting and the golden holiday well so far. It should be okay to reopen schools under the principle of thorough personal hygiene."

Experts pointed out that although community infection numbers have clearly decreased, if daily life guidelines such as mask-wearing and hand hygiene are not properly followed, another infectious disease pandemic could occur.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said in an interview on BBS's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' on the 4th, "Although there are cases of overseas importation, the number of community infections has generally decreased, so the government is making efforts to ease regulations and review the timing of school reopening." He added, "However, looking at the COVID-19 outbreak situation, large-scale outbreaks have occurred from a very small number of confirmed cases. In this regard, the government's decision seems somewhat premature," expressing concern.

He continued, "Regarding school reopening, it is actually difficult for students to maintain personal hygiene, and not only in our country but also overseas, widespread transmission among young people has been linked to high-risk groups," and pointed out, "If sufficient preparation is not made for this, we could face another crisis, so we must maintain a high level of vigilance."

Meanwhile, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the 3rd, "Distancing in daily life is a slightly relaxed guideline compared to social distancing," and urged, "Personal hygiene rules and group quarantine rules must continue to be practiced."

The five major personal quarantine rules are △ staying home when sick △ maintaining a 2-meter distance (about two arm lengths) △ washing hands △ practicing cough etiquette and wearing masks △ regular ventilation and disinfection.

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