Even with 'With Corona,' Mask Wearing Is Mandatory... Concerns Over 'No Mask' Behavior

From July 1, With Corona Phase 1
24-Hour Operation Allowed at All Facilities
Core Rule of 'With Corona': Wearing Masks
Total 1,692 Cases of 'No Mask' Guidance in Public Places

Citizens are enjoying an outing on the afternoon of the 24th, a weekend, in Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul, as the vaccination completion rate of 70%, a condition for transitioning to the "step-by-step daily recovery" (With Corona) quarantine system, has been achieved.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As the 'gradual return to daily life' (With Corona) approaches, expectations for a return to pre-COVID-19 daily life are rising. However, concerns are growing that COVID-19 may spread again as more people violate personal quarantine rules, such as not properly wearing masks.

On the 25th, the government unveiled a new quarantine system roadmap called 'With Corona.' The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) presented a draft roadmap at 2 p.m. at the Korea Press Center in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, during the 'COVID-19 Gradual Return to Daily Life Implementation Plan Public Hearing.' The roadmap is planned to be implemented in three stages at six-week intervals.

According to the roadmap, if there are no sudden variables such as a surge in confirmed cases, the first stage will begin on November 1, the second stage on December 13, and the third stage on January 24 of next year. In the third stage, all restrictions related to facility operations, events, and private gatherings will be lifted. In the first stage starting next month on the 1st, all facilities except entertainment venues will be allowed to operate 24 hours, and by December, masks are expected to be removed outdoors.

However, for some high-risk facilities such as entertainment venues and indoor sports facilities, a 'vaccine pass' (proof of vaccination or negative PCR test) will be applied, allowing only those who have completed vaccination or have a negative test result to use the facilities. Private gatherings will be allowed up to 10 people nationwide regardless of vaccination status. Events with fewer than 100 people will be allowed without conditions, while events with 100 or more people will require a vaccine pass.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is attending the 'Step-by-Step Daily Recovery Plan Public Hearing' held at the Korea Press Center in Taepyeong-ro on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, economic losses for small business owners and self-employed individuals have increased, and public fatigue has accumulated, leading the government to choose to transition the quarantine system to 'With Corona.'

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said about 'With Corona,' "Gradual return to daily life is a path we must take," adding, "We cannot eradicate COVID-19, but we must find ways to coexist safely while minimizing risks and damages."

She continued, "As the COVID-19 pandemic has prolonged, the public has endured difficult times for a long period," and stated, "Even if some risk must be accepted, it is necessary to transition to a sustainable society based on the increased vaccination rate and gradually shift the medical response system." The government also emphasized 'mask wearing' as a key rule of 'With Corona.'

The problem is that some people think 'With Corona' means a relaxed quarantine system and thus ignore personal quarantine measures. On the 25th, a story was posted on an online community by a person who identified themselves as a convenience store part-timer, saying they were mocked when they asked a customer to wear a mask properly.

The poster said, "The customer only hung the mask slightly on their chin, so I asked them to wear it over their nose, and they responded, 'Like this?' and then pulled the mask up to cover their eyes," sharing a photo taken by the store's CCTV. The photo shows a man standing at the counter with the mask pulled up over his eyes.

A 20-year-old university student, A, who works part-time at a large franchise cafe, also shared conflicts with customers over mask-wearing. A said, "Even inside the cafe, you must wear a mask after eating or drinking. If you don't, you have to pay a fine, but when I inform customers about mask-wearing, they argue, 'I'm eating right now,' so I have nothing to say," adding, "There is concern about breakthrough infections, and the COVID-19 situation is not over yet, so as a worker, it makes me uneasy when customers take off their masks."

A mask-wearing notice is installed at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The issue of some citizens not wearing masks is also confirmed by statistics. According to data submitted by Jeonnam Province to Kim Won-i, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, a total of 21 fines for 'COVID-19 no-mask' violations have been imposed from November last year after a one-month grace period in October. The number of warnings issued for not wearing masks in public places reached a total of 1,692.

Meanwhile, the government plans to strengthen quarantine practices in daily life based on autonomy and participation to prepare for 'With Corona.' In particular, indoor mask-wearing, electronic entry logs, safe call, and visitor logs will continue to be mandatory, and the role of local governments in quarantine will be strengthened so that local daily life recovery support committees can autonomously engage in quarantine efforts.

Outdoor mask-wearing will be maintained until the first stage of the reform. Jung Tong-ryong, head of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters Coordination Team, said at the 'With Corona' roadmap announcement on the 25th, "The first stage reform includes compliance with outdoor mask-wearing, and discussions are currently underway about removing masks outdoors in the second stage reform."

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