Mandatory Mask Wearing for Military Personnel... Leave Restricted Until the End of This Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Military personnel are required to wear masks starting from the 24th. The Ministry of National Defense issued "strengthened mask-wearing guidelines" as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread beyond the Seoul metropolitan area to the entire country.

On the 25th, the Ministry of National Defense announced, "If masks are not worn, gatherings of two or more people are not allowed under the 'strengthened mask-wearing guidelines.'"

Personnel must wear masks even during outdoor training, and in unavoidable cases where masks must be removed, individuals must maintain a distance of at least 2 meters. The strengthened guidelines will remain in effect until social distancing is downgraded to Level 1.

The Ministry of National Defense has been controlling all personnel's leave, overnight stays, outings, and visits since the 19th of this month to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the military. Leave restrictions will continue until the 31st of this month, with the possibility of extension depending on the domestic COVID-19 situation.

As of 10 a.m. on this day, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the military is 94, with 15 currently receiving treatment. According to health authorities, 1,051 individuals are in quarantine, and according to the military's own standards, 3,860 are under preventive quarantine.

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