Israel Removes Masks Amid 'Delta Variant' Warning Signs

Reconsidering Indoor Mask Mandate Due to Delta Variant Spread
Growing Concerns Domestically

On April 18, the first day Israel lifted the outdoor mask mandate, young people are sitting close together without masks, chatting on the streets of Tel Aviv.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Hyun-ui Cho and Chun-hee Lee] The Delta variant (Indian variant) virus is rapidly spreading in countries like Israel and the United Kingdom, which have quickly raised vaccination rates and lifted many quarantine measures. Concerns are growing as quarantine measures will be significantly eased domestically starting next week.

According to local Israeli media such as The Jerusalem Post on the 21st (local time), consecutive cluster infections in schools were confirmed in Israel on the 18th and 19th. Despite showing a high vaccination rate and lifting the indoor mask mandate on the 15th, cluster infections have occurred one after another in schools densely populated with children and adolescents who have not been vaccinated.

In particular, about 70% of recent new infections in Israel are estimated to be the Delta variant. Israeli authorities are reportedly considering reinstating the indoor mask mandate.

The UK and Australia are also on alert. In the UK, more than 90% of new confirmed cases are reported to be the Delta variant, and in Australia, as the Delta variant continues to increase, mask-wearing has been made mandatory when using public transportation in Sydney.

The Delta variant is considered to have stronger transmissibility than previous variants and can partially evade vaccine protection. Although only 155 Delta variant cases have been confirmed domestically, the high risk means there is no room for complacency.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "It is necessary to continue close monitoring and strengthen management," adding, "For those entering from India, a 7-day facility quarantine is enforced, and multiple rounds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are conducted to prevent community spread." Among domestic Delta variant cases, 79.3% are imported.

Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol also emphasized, "There is scientific evidence that vaccination can cope with variant viruses," urging, "Please actively participate in vaccination."

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