The Day to Toss Away Masks? ... "Decision in Early May vs Need for More Caution"

Transition Team Opposes Government Measures
"Easing Quarantine Measures Too Hasty... More Dangerous with Holiday Overlap"
Experts Say "Masks Should Still Be Worn in Crowded Outdoor Areas"

On the first day of the full lifting of COVID-19 social distancing measures on the 18th, Nogari Alley in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, was crowded with citizens. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

When will we be able to finally take off our masks? In response to this question, the government announced that it would decide as early as the beginning of next month whether to lift the outdoor mask mandate. However, the Presidential Transition Committee immediately called for caution, urging a slowdown. Experts pointed out that while masks may not be necessary outdoors where social distancing is possible, a more nuanced approach is needed, requiring mask-wearing in crowded places or on public transportation depending on the location and situation.

"Outdoor Mask Rules Should Vary by Situation"

According to the Transition Committee and quarantine authorities on the 21st, the committee conveyed the opinion of Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo, who is effectively opposed to lifting the outdoor mask mandate, stating, "There is concern that easing quarantine measures all at once could weaken the overall vigilance in society." Regarding the planned lifting of the mandatory isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases starting from the 23rd of next month after a four-week transition period, the committee said, "The next government will lift the isolation requirement only after thorough review and when it deems it feasible," adding, "It is unwise to lift all quarantine measures as if COVID-19 no longer exists."

The committee’s caution came after Minister Jeon Hae-cheol of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced earlier that day, "We will make a decision on outdoor mask-wearing in early May after a thorough evaluation of the quarantine situation and gathering expert opinions." The quarantine authorities had previously stated that they would decide on lifting the outdoor mask mandate after observing the effects for two weeks following the end of social distancing. Since social distancing was lifted on the 18th, some speculated that discussions around May 2nd?two weeks later?could lead to lifting the outdoor mask mandate around the 10th, when the new government takes office.

Under current quarantine guidelines, masks must be worn ▲indoors at all times ▲outdoors when unable to maintain a 2-meter distance from others ▲and at gatherings such as rallies, performances, or events where many people congregate.

However, the Transition Committee views the current government’s easing measures as premature. There are concerns that the increase in outdoor activities during the Children’s Day holiday in early May could lead to a resurgence of COVID-19 around the time the new government is inaugurated. Professor Choi Jae-wook, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University and a member of the Transition Committee’s COVID-19 Task Force, emphasized, "We are not opposed to lifting the outdoor mask mandate, but we need to correct the misleading message from the government that all quarantine measures are being lifted as if masks will never be needed again." He stressed the importance of leaving room for reinstating mask-wearing if the situation worsens.

Professor Choi said, "When one or two people are cycling outdoors or hiking in a quiet mountain area, masks are not necessary. But when multiple people gather at outdoor restaurants or pubs to eat, drink, and have physical contact, caution is needed. It is necessary to provide the public with more detailed guidance and recommendations based on location and situation."

Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s Infectious Diseases Department also advised, "Even outdoors, there can be situations with high transmission risk. Whether to lift the mask mandate should be judged based on population density at specific times and places. Unconditional lifting is risky."

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

"Up to 2,700 Deaths Possible in Re-epidemic"

Despite the government’s easing of social distancing measures, there are predictions that COVID-19 will see a resurgence between around November this year and early next year. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University College of Medicine’s Department of Preventive Medicine forecasted at the 'Big Data Utilization Symposium for Scientific Quarantine' hosted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency the day before that "a medium-scale epidemic will occur in the second half of this year, approximately 10 to 14 weeks after the BA.2 (Stealth Omicron) variant becomes dominant." He noted that while the severity rate may decrease due to existing vaccinations or natural infections, the variant’s immune evasion ability and transmissibility are expected to increase.

Professor Jung argued, "We need to prepare for the second half of the year’s epidemic by evaluating antibody positivity rates, reinfection rates, vaccine effectiveness decline, and the effectiveness of oral antiviral treatments. It is also necessary to assess the effects of past government policies such as social distancing and the vaccine pass."

Professor Jung Eun-ok of Konkuk University’s Department of Mathematics predicted, "Hesitation to get vaccinated could increase the epidemic’s peak by 5 to 20%. Depending on the target and scale of the fourth vaccination during this period, cumulative deaths could range from a minimum of 700 to a maximum of 2,700."

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