Transition Team "Government's Decision to Lift Outdoor Mask Mandate Regrettable... Premature Timing"

Outdoor Mask Mandate Lifted from May 2
Transition Team: "Premature... No Prior Consultation"

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is arriving at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 29th. Photo by the Transition Committee Press Corps

The Presidential Transition Committee expressed regret over the government's decision to lift the outdoor mask mandate, questioning whether the decision was truly based on scientific quarantine measures.

Hong Kyung-hee, deputy spokesperson of the Transition Committee, held a press conference on the 29th at the briefing room of the Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "The Transition Committee's Special Committee on COVID-19 Emergency Response expresses regret over the government's announcement this morning to lift the outdoor mask mandate."

Deputy Spokesperson Hong explained, "While the Transition Committee agrees with the direction of lifting mask-wearing as part of the recovery from COVID-19, we have repeatedly emphasized that lifting the outdoor mask mandate at this point is premature."

Transition Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo recently recommended the timing for lifting the outdoor mask mandate as 'D+30' through the announcement of the 'COVID-19 100-day Roadmap,' advising that mask removal should be carefully reviewed based on objective data such as the trends in confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths, and critically ill patients throughout May.

Deputy Spokesperson Hong said, "The COVID-19 Special Committee recommended the timing for reviewing mask removal after gathering opinions from many field experts," emphasizing, "The Transition Committee cannot help but question whether the government's recent decision was made based on scientific quarantine measures."

He continued, "The Transition Committee expresses concern over the current government's decision to lift the mask mandate," adding, "We cannot help but ask what policy response measures have been prepared in case of a resurgence or increase in confirmed cases following this decision."

The Transition Committee explained that there was no communication with them during the government's process of deciding to lift the outdoor mask mandate.

Deputy Spokesperson Hong stated, "Through direct or indirect channels, we only heard that the outdoor mask removal measure would be announced at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister today, but there was no prior communication during the decision-making process."

However, when asked if the Transition Committee plans to request additional measures from the government, Hong replied, "The Transition Committee is not in a position to intervene in the government's policy implementation."

He added, "I understand the government provided additional explanations about criteria for exceptionally requiring outdoor mask-wearing, such as during large-scale protests," but questioned, "I wonder whether the government can enforce mask-wearing at protest sites or mass demonstration venues."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting at the Government Seoul Office earlier that day, "Starting next Monday, May 2, the obligation to wear masks outdoors will be lifted in principle."

Accordingly, after 566 days since the mask mandate indoors and outdoors (with a fine of 100,000 won) was implemented on October 13, 2020, people will be able to remove masks outdoors.

However, as the risk of infection due to crowding remains, the mask-wearing obligation will be maintained at outdoor multi-use facilities such as assemblies, events, performances, and sports venues where 50 or more people gather, as is currently the case.

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