"Despite 'Waterproof Mask Not Certified'... Jinju City Mandates Waterproof Mask Wearing in Bathhouses"

As COVID-19 cluster infections linked to bathhouses have continued recently, Jinju City announced on the 23rd, "Bathhouse users must wear waterproof masks inside the bath and refrain from talking" as a quarantine guideline. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] As COVID-19 cluster infections originating from bathhouses continue, Jinju City announced quarantine guidelines stating, "Bathhouse users must wear waterproof masks inside the bathhouse." However, health authorities and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) have expressed concerns that these masks are "unverified," causing increased confusion.

Following the outbreak of cluster infections linked to bathhouses in Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, Jinju City announced on the 23rd the quarantine guidelines mandating "mask-wearing inside bathhouses and prohibition of conversation." A Jinju City Hall official stated, "The guideline was issued to block conversations and prevent saliva droplets from spreading while talking," adding, "The local government plans to purchase waterproof masks and distribute them to bathhouses."

The Jinju City Hygiene Department, responsible for bathhouse quarantine measures, said, "We will use products certified by the MFDS," and added, "We are further investigating waterproof masks with the MFDS and others."

However, the MFDS clarified, "There are no plastic masks certified by us," and stated, "As far as we know, Jinju City has not sent any official review documents or inquiries directly." The MFDS also said, "Currently, there are no waterproof masks sold on the market that have been certified by the MFDS for droplet blocking effects," and "All waterproof masks sold on the market are considered ‘industrial products.’"

Subsequently, the Jinju City Hygiene Department changed its stance, saying, "In fact, we did not investigate properly. We apologize."

Earlier, the Central Disease Control Headquarters also expressed a negative stance on waterproof masks. On the 21st, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "Waterproof masks inside bathhouses are epidemiologically controversial," and expressed concerns, stating, "These products do not fit tightly like droplet-blocking masks, making it difficult to completely block saliva droplets, and droplets can escape in all directions."

Experts also pointed out, "Waterproof masks are made of plastic material, and wearing masks inside the bathhouse has little preventive effect. The effectiveness is low, and it is a desk-bound measure that only troubles residents."

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