"‘What if COVID spreads due to carelessness?’ Delta variant threat... Uneasy citizens outdoors without masks"

Nearly 800 New COVID-19 Cases Reported on 30th Last Month
Highly Contagious 'Delta Variant' with Up to 60% Increased Infectivity Detected in Korea
Growing Concerns Over Relaxed Social Distancing Including Outdoor No-Mask Policy
Experts Advise Careful Reconsideration of Timing for Easing Quarantine Measures

On the 27th of last month, citizens are lining up at a temporary screening clinic for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) set up at Seoul Station Plaza. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "They say a mutated coronavirus has appeared, but you want us to take off our masks?" Mr. Park, in his 60s, who completed his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, recently expressed his frustration when the government showed signs of easing social distancing measures. Mr. Park raised his voice, saying, "Has everyone in the country been vaccinated? Also, they say the mutated coronavirus is spreading, so if we take off masks and adjust social distancing, the virus could spread again." He added, "It quiets down, then spreads again. I can't live in this anxiety," venting his anger.

Starting from the 1st, incentives for vaccinated individuals will be implemented, and the outdoor mask-wearing mandate will be lifted for those who have received at least the first vaccine dose, but citizens' concerns remain unresolved. This is because the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has been increasing recently, and the Delta variant, known to be more infectious than the original virus, is spreading. There are concerns that loosening quarantine measures might lead to further spread or even an explosive increase in COVID-19 cases.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 30th of last month, one day before the incentive application, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases as of midnight was 794, nearing 800. Among these, 759 were domestic cases, with 83.1% (631 cases) occurring in the metropolitan area.

It has been confirmed that the highly infectious Delta variant is spreading domestically as well. As of the 26th, the cumulative number of Delta variant confirmed cases in Korea was 263. The Delta variant was detected in cluster infection cases related to a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and six English academies in the metropolitan area, indicating the possibility of a more severe spread going forward.

As the COVID-19 'Delta variant' rapidly spreads worldwide, foreigners are entering through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 24th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Delta variant is a COVID-19 variant first detected in India. According to a UK health authority investigation, it has been confirmed to have 40-60% higher infectivity than the previously discovered Alpha variant. In the UK, where over 45% of the total population has completed vaccination, 9 out of 10 confirmed cases are infected with the Delta variant. It is also reported to be rapidly becoming the dominant strain in other countries such as the United States and Europe.

Additionally, the Delta variant is presumed to have some resistance to vaccines currently in use, such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca (AZ). This means that even those who have completed vaccination may still become infected with COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that masks should continue to be worn even after completing the second dose of vaccination.

According to local media such as CNBC on the 26th of last month (local time), Mariangela Simao, WHO Deputy Director-General, stated at a regular briefing, "You should not think you are safe just because you have completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," and urged, "Vaccines alone cannot stop community transmission. You must continuously wear masks, stay in ventilated places, and follow social distancing and quarantine guidelines."

Given this situation, some citizens are expressing anxiety about measures such as easing the outdoor mask-wearing mandate.

A 20-something office worker, Mr. A, said, "Summer vacation season is coming soon, but easing mask-wearing in this situation seems like a premature decision," and criticized, "What if the spread worsens again due to complacency?"

Another office worker, Mr. B (31), pointed out, "Countries like the US and UK, which have many more people fully vaccinated than us, are strengthening quarantine measures due to variants, so I think it is risky for only us to ease them."

From the 1st, with the revision of social distancing guidelines, the outdoor mask-wearing requirement will be relaxed for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. / Photo by Yonhap News

The quarantine authorities explained that while the mask-wearing mandate will be lifted for vaccinated individuals, masks should still be worn when social distancing is not possible depending on the situation.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a briefing on the 30th of last month, "The most basic principle is that if it is difficult to maintain a 2-meter distance, masks should be worn even outdoors," and added, "If many people gather, masks should be worn even in parks or outdoor events."

However, he added, "If a distance of more than 2 meters can be sufficiently maintained and the area is very quiet, mask-wearing will not be mandatory for vaccinated individuals."

Experts have suggested reconsidering the easing of social distancing guidelines in light of the spread of the Delta variant.

Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center appeared on MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick' recently and said, "Even by July, only about 10% of people will have completed the second dose of vaccination," and pointed out, "In a situation where other variants are acting as threatening factors, restructuring social distancing and easing quarantine rules carries considerable risk." He advised, "More careful consideration is needed regarding when to ease quarantine measures and apply them."

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