Incheon Taxi Drivers Required to Wear Masks... 100,000 KRW Fine for Violations

On the first day of mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation, May 26, citizens wearing masks are taking taxis in front of Seoul Station. 2020.5.26 / Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City announced on the 31st that it has issued an administrative order mandating taxi drivers to wear masks in order to strengthen quarantine measures in the transportation sector amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The city added a clause to the "Incheon Transportation Workers' Dress Code" requiring taxi drivers to wear masks mandatorily once the national infectious disease crisis level is raised to the 'serious' stage.

Accordingly, starting from June 12, if an Incheon taxi driver is found driving without wearing a mask and a complaint is filed, the city may impose a fine of 100,000 KRW on the transportation operator and a penalty of 100,000 KRW on the taxi driver.

Earlier, to strengthen COVID-19 quarantine measures, the city has restricted passengers who do not wear masks from boarding public transportation since the 20th.

In the case of taxis, drivers may refuse service to passengers not wearing masks, and the scope of refusal of boarding has been expanded to ensure taxi drivers do not suffer disadvantages as a result.

An official from Incheon City stated, "After consultation with the Incheon Taxi Transport Association, we reached a consensus that mandating taxi drivers to wear masks through an administrative order is necessary," and urged active participation from the industry and taxi drivers.

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