Gwangju City Announces Administrative Order Mandating Mask Wearing on Public Transportation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 6th that it has issued an administrative order mandating mask-wearing when using public transportation, following the elevation of the COVID-19 quarantine response system to social distancing level 2.

This administrative order will be in effect until the 15th, and individuals who board buses, taxis, urban railroads, or other public transportation without wearing a mask and are later confirmed positive may face fines of up to 3 million KRW, as well as claims for compensation covering hospitalization, treatment, and quarantine costs.

Under this administrative order, transportation operators and drivers must refuse boarding to anyone not wearing a mask, and passengers are required to wear masks from boarding until disembarking.

Gwangju City plans to conduct inspections on mask-wearing in public transportation to verify transportation operators’ and drivers’ compliance with refusing boarding to maskless individuals, and will instruct them to report to the police if maskless passengers interfere with safe operation.

Additionally, as some passengers have been observed not wearing masks due to the hot weather, the city will strengthen publicity by posting mask-wearing mandatory notices on route signboards at major bus stops.

Son Doo-young, head of the Public Transportation Division of the city, stated, “Wearing a mask when using public transportation is not only for yourself and your family but also an act of consideration for your neighbors,” and added, “Please be sure to wear a mask when using public transportation and refrain from phone calls or conversations with fellow passengers to block droplets and minimize contact.”

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