Mask Mandate Lifted with Start of Daily Recovery?…Uninfected People Say "No Mask Feels Unsafe"

Social Distancing Maintained for 757 Days Fully Lifted from the 18th
Mask Mandate Remains but Discussions on 'Outdoor Mask Mandate Lift' Emerge
COVID-19 Uninfected Individuals Say "Virus Still Exists... Feeling Anxious"

As social distancing measures such as private gathering and business hour restrictions were fully lifted, citizens are hurrying on their way to work at Gwanghwamun Station in the Seoul subway on the 18th, returning to the pre-COVID-19 daily life. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As the 'social distancing' measure implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is lifted after 2 years and 1 month, voices are emerging to also lift the 'mandatory mask-wearing,' which has become a symbol of the COVID-19 era. However, among those not infected with COVID-19, there are concerns that lifting the mask mandate is inappropriate given the ongoing risk of infection.

The 'social distancing' measure, a key quarantine tool in response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, ends today (18th). From today, large private gatherings regardless of the number of people, as well as 24-hour operations of multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes, will be allowed. Social distancing was introduced after the first administrative order on March 22, 2020, recommending a 15-day 'operation restriction' for religious facilities and some workplaces, and has been maintained for 757 days.

The government has adjusted the number of people allowed in private gatherings and operating hours of multi-use facilities according to the rise and fall of COVID-19 cases. When the spread intensified, social distancing was strengthened, and when it subsided, measures were eased to respond to the pandemic.

However, after the highly transmissible but less severe Omicron variant became dominant and the surge in confirmed cases began to decline gradually, the government decided to activate the 'post-Omicron response system.' On the 15th, Kwon Deok-cheol, 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated, "COVID-19 will not be completely eradicated, but we believe it is now time to cautiously attempt to restore daily life."

According to the 'post-Omicron response system,' the government plans to downgrade COVID-19 from a level 1 to a level 2 infectious disease starting from the 25th and gradually lift quarantine obligations.

From the 18th, restrictions on private gatherings of up to 10 people and the midnight (12 AM) business hour limit will be lifted. Restrictions on events and assemblies, which were allowed up to 299 people, and religious activities limited to 70% of facility capacity will also be removed. From the 25th, bans on eating and drinking in indoor and outdoor multi-use facilities such as cinemas, religious facilities, and transportation facilities will be lifted.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is explaining about the 4th vaccination dose during the regular briefing on COVID-19 held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the afternoon of the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, explained on the 15th that the 'post-Omicron' transition "is not simply an adjustment of infectious disease levels or easing of quarantine measures, but a new beginning to safely resume daily life with COVID-19 and establish a routine medical system, which is a very challenging task." This is interpreted as an attempt to accept COVID-19 as an endemic disease similar to seasonal flu and to restore normal life.

As social distancing is lifted and the government initiates daily life recovery, expectations for returning to normalcy are rising, leading to calls to lift the mask mandate as seen overseas. The fatigue of the public from wearing masks covering the mouth and nose for over three years has reached its peak. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Singapore, and New Zealand have already lifted outdoor mask mandates.

However, among those not infected with COVID-19, there are concerns that lifting the mask mandate is premature. Jeong, a man in his 50s who has not been infected, said, "The virus is invisible, and breakthrough infections continue even after vaccination. Although the Omicron variant is less severe, it does cause lung damage. It is said that wearing masks is effective when everyone does so, so the mask mandate should remain."

A university student in their 20s, A, said, "Even if the government lifts the mask mandate, I will definitely continue wearing one. It is true that masks are uncomfortable in summer due to heat and in winter due to moisture, but I believe not getting infected with COVID-19 was thanks to masks. I avoid people sneezing even if they wear masks, so I don't want to be defenseless without a mask."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Transition Committee also expressed that lifting the outdoor mask mandate is a 'premature measure' and called for cautious easing of quarantine. On the 13th, Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, said, "If masks are removed, people may mistakenly think that normal life has resumed, which could lead to a spread of infections. Currently, 100,000 to 200,000 confirmed cases occur daily, so I believe authorities need to control the pace of easing."

Accordingly, the government plans to observe the epidemic situation for two weeks after lifting social distancing before deciding on lifting the outdoor mask mandate. Commissioner Jung said on the 15th, "Masks are considered the most effective response measure, so indoor mask-wearing needs to be maintained for a considerable period, and for outdoor masks, we will monitor the epidemic situation for about two weeks and assess the risk at that time."

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