"Please Wear a Mask" Cafes, Worship, and 'Tteokseukeu'... Could They Trigger a COVID Surge?

Masks Must Be Worn Except When Drinking... Some Citizens Express Discomfort
In-Person Worship Enforced Despite Recommendations for Online Services
Concerns Over 'Tukseukeu' Mask Wearing on Chin Amid Heat as a COVID-19 Risk

An advisory notice stating "Mask Wearing Required" at the entrance of a company located in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Employees and visitors not wearing masks are not allowed to enter the premises. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surges, concerns are growing that cafes, church services, and the practice of wearing masks on the chin, known as 'teokseukeu,' may become triggers for the COVID-19 explosion.

In cafes, masks must be worn except when drinking beverages, but many citizens find it practically difficult to comply. Some churches are pushing ahead with in-person services despite recommendations for non-face-to-face worship, and some people are not wearing masks due to the heat.

As of the 23rd, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the Starbucks Yadang Station branch in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, has increased to a total of 64 (40 in the Paju area).

A man in his 60s, Mr. A (Paju case number 78), residing in Unjeong 3-dong, began experiencing coughing and sore throat symptoms on the 19th, was tested at the Paju City Health Center on the 21st, and received a positive diagnosis on the 22nd.

Contact tracing revealed that the 'Paju case number 54,' confirmed on the 17th, was infected after visiting Starbucks by 'Paju case number 44,' who was confirmed on the 16th. Mr. A is the third-generation infection originating from Starbucks contact with 'Paju case number 54.'

The health authorities estimate that the reason COVID-19 spread in the cafe is due to the virus's strong transmissibility carried by the air conditioner airflow within the enclosed space. Additionally, poor ventilation and mask non-compliance are also factors.

Among the confirmed cases, an elementary school student who was on the first floor of the store with their parents and briefly visited the second-floor restroom, as well as a customer who stayed on the second floor for about 10 minutes, also tested positive. Based on these points, the health authorities believe it is highly likely that the virus was dispersed in the air on the second floor of the store at that time.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the Starbucks Seoul Station Dongja-dong branch in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, was closed. After one employee at this branch tested positive for COVID-19, Starbucks decided to close the store for two days and plans to review additional measures based on the results of the epidemiological investigation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained on the 17th, "(Customers) did not wear masks, the air conditioner was running, and due to humid weather, ventilation was inadequate. Even if it was not airborne transmission via aerosols, droplet transmission over 2 meters is possible in enclosed spaces, and transmission through hand contact or shared facilities is also possible."

The problem is that such cases could occur again anywhere nationwide. In fact, recent investigations by our reporters found that many customers visiting cafes in the Jung-gu area of Seoul complained that it is difficult to follow the cafe usage quarantine rules.

Mr. Kim, a man in his 30s who visited a cafe during lunchtime, said, "They say to lower the mask when drinking coffee and wear it when talking, but honestly, it's a bit hard to follow." He added, "Most young people who visit cafes do the same, and honestly, I am a bit worried."

Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Lee, also said, "It seems really difficult to follow these quarantine rules in cafes," adding, "I try to drink my beverage quickly and leave as soon as possible."

On the afternoon of the 15th, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church is speaking at a rally condemning the government and ruling party held in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, concerns are growing that some churches not complying with the health authorities' recommendations for non-face-to-face worship amid the COVID-19 surge may also become triggers for virus spread.

Busan City announced on the 23rd that after inspecting all 1,765 churches in the Busan area, about 15% (279 churches) violated administrative orders and pushed ahead with in-person services.

The city had issued an administrative order allowing only non-face-to-face worship at local churches until the 31st. However, on the 22nd, the Busan Christian Council sent a letter to about 1,800 churches in Busan urging the withdrawal of the city's administrative order.

In Incheon, inspections of all churches in the area revealed that 9.2% (378 out of 4,074 churches) conducted in-person worship.

In Chungnam Province, about a quarter of all churches ignored the administrative order banning on-site worship and held in-person services. After inspecting 3,113 churches in the province together with 15 cities and counties, Chungnam Province found that 24.1% (751 churches) violated the administrative order and held on-site worship.

In-person worship had previously been recommended to be replaced with non-face-to-face services due to concerns about the spread of confirmed cases. This is because the virus can easily spread in environments where congregants gather in enclosed spaces, singing hymns and praying.

Alongside concerns about COVID-19 spread stemming from non-compliance with cafe quarantine rules and in-person worship ignoring non-face-to-face recommendations, the so-called 'teokseukeu'?not wearing masks properly due to heat waves and scorching weather?is also cited as a transmission link.

Experts have pointed out that 'teokseukeu' offers no infection prevention effect. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's official guidance states that masks must cover the nose, mouth, and chin completely. In other words, wearing a mask on the chin is absolutely not allowed.

On the 20th, at the Seoul Station food court, citizens were having meals while one citizen had their mask lowered around the chin. Masks should not be lowered to expose the nose or mouth except when eating or drinking. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, among citizens, there are opinions that due to the heat, they have no choice but to wear 'teokseukeu' briefly.

Mr. Kim, a man in his 30s working at a company in Seoul, explained, "I usually sweat a lot, and wearing a mask in hot and humid weather makes breathing difficult. I wear the mask on my chin briefly to breathe." He added, "But I feel troubled because I might cause harm to others in this situation."

Another office worker in his 40s, Mr. Lee, said, "Wearing a mask on the chin happens not only because of the heat but is also often seen in cafes," adding, "Cafes should either stop accepting customers inside or prevent situations where masks are worn on the chin."

The government has continuously expressed concerns about the 'teokseukeu' situation. Head Jung urged, "Please be extremely careful about wearing masks. In cafes, masks must be worn except when drinking beverages. Also, minimize the time spent in multi-use facilities."

Meanwhile, amid the COVID-19 surge, Seoul City mandated indoor and outdoor mask-wearing throughout Seoul starting at midnight on the 24th. Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop announced at a COVID-19 regular briefing on the 23rd, "Mask-wearing will be mandatory starting at midnight today."

Acting Mayor Seo emphasized, "The mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation, implemented since May 13, has been well established thanks to citizens' active cooperation. Through this measure, we hope to reaffirm the awareness and social commitment that mask-wearing is the foundation of daily quarantine, and that no one should be exempt."

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