"Punished if not worn?" What Do You Think About the 'Mandatory Mask Wearing'?

Daegu City Issues Nation's First Administrative Order for 'Mandatory Mask Wearing'
'Legal Obligation to Wear Masks' Surpasses 1,000 Signatures on Blue House Petition
Germany Imposes Up to 5,000 Euro (Approx. 6.65 Million KRW) Fine for Not Wearing Masks
Experts Warn "No Complacency in Transition to Daily Quarantine... Mask Wearing Essential"

Starting today (the 6th), as the government transitions to the relaxed quarantine measure called 'Distancing in Daily Life,' Daegu City will be the first in the country to issue an administrative order mandating 'mask-wearing.' Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Starting today (the 6th), as the government transitions to a relaxed quarantine measure called 'Distancing in Daily Life,' Daegu City will be the first in the nation to issue an administrative order mandating 'mask-wearing.' This comes as 63.5% of domestic confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have occurred in Daegu, leading to opinions that switching to daily life quarantine according to government guidelines is premature. Some criticize this as a delayed response, while others say it is a necessary policy specifically for Daegu, known as a super-spreader area. Experts point out that although the transition to daily life quarantine is underway, it is not yet the time to lower vigilance.

On the 5th, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin announced a public address at the Daegu City Hall briefing room, stating, "An administrative order will be issued mandating all citizens to wear masks when using public transportation such as buses, subways, taxis, and public facilities."

Mayor Kwon added, "Masks are the most important personal weapon in the war against COVID-19, protecting oneself and considering others. While the goal is to encourage participation rather than punishment, if a taxi driver requests a passenger to wear a mask and the passenger ignores it, they may be subject to penalties."

Accordingly, starting from the 13th, anyone caught not wearing a mask on buses, subways, taxis, etc., in Daegu may be punished under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

The city plans to implement the mask-wearing administrative order after a one-week period of promotion and guidance beginning on the 6th. In particular, violations will be reported, and fines will be imposed according to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Management Act.

However, as the domestic COVID-19 situation stabilizes and the government is considering lowering the infectious disease crisis alert from the current highest level of 'serious' to a lower level of 'caution,' some criticize this as a belated administrative action.

On the 6th, when the government ended 'social distancing' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and shifted to 'everyday quarantine,' office workers near Sindorim Station in Guro-gu, Seoul, were seen wearing masks on their way to work. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

A housewife in her 50s, Ms. A, said, "I have an acquaintance living in Daegu. Daegu citizens have made mask-wearing a daily habit, so I don't understand why they are issuing a belated administrative order mandating mask-wearing at a time when the government is transitioning to daily life quarantine."

In response, the city stated that cooperation letters have already been sent to related organizations and facilities. From the 13th, when the order is fully enforced, workers or staff will take measures such as denying entry or boarding to citizens not wearing masks.

In particular, if there is resistance to entry or boarding denial, causing serious disruption to workers or staff, fines will be imposed or criminal charges filed.

Some argue that personal quarantine measures such as mask-wearing remain essential even with the transition to Distancing in Daily Life. Office worker B (29) said, "If the number of confirmed cases in Daegu, which used to be 1,000 per day, has dropped to zero, isn't that a good result? I think this recommendation is necessary for Daegu, which was the largest regional infection site."

On the 4th, a petition titled "Legally Mandate Mask-Wearing Until COVID-19 is Completely Eradicated" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner said, "One reason our country has had relatively low COVID-19 damage is the role of masks. Since COVID-19 is not yet over and there are still asymptomatic and mild cases with unknown infection routes, many people have stopped wearing masks just because the weather is getting warmer and confirmed cases are decreasing."

They continued, "We must not forget the Daegu **th super-spreader until the very end," urging, "Please enact a law that punishes not wearing masks as a minor offense until COVID-19 is completely eradicated." As of 11 a.m. on the 6th, the petition had received 1,380 signatures.

On the 6th, when the 'social distancing' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection was shifted to 'everyday distancing,' citizens lined up to enter at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Meanwhile, in foreign countries, mask-wearing is mandatory when using public transportation and public facilities. In Germany, failure to wear a mask in public facilities can result in a fine of up to 5,000 euros (approximately 6.65 million KRW). This is due to concerns that easing some restrictions, such as movement limitations, could lead to an increase in new confirmed cases.

On the 27th of last month (local time), the U.S. CNN reported that the German government allowed stores under 800㎡ to reopen and somewhat eased daily life regulations to restart the economy, while mandating mask-wearing on public transportation and in public facilities.

In particular, Bavaria imposes fines ranging from a minimum of 150 euros (approximately 199,000 KRW) to a maximum of 5,000 euros for violations.

Experts advise that mask-wearing and adherence to preventive measures must continue. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Although confirmed cases have significantly decreased and social distancing has been relaxed, vigilance must not be lowered. Personal hygiene must still be thoroughly maintained, and masks are essential in facilities where many people gather."

He added, "Special caution is needed because there have been cluster outbreaks in call centers, PC rooms, religious facilities, and sports centers."

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