"Outdoor Mask Mandate Lifted, Not a Political Decision" (Update)

Jeong Eun-gyeong, Director of KDCA, Responds to Transition Team's 'Political Quarantine Regret'
"Decision Made Considering Decline in Cases and Increased Immunity Levels"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The quarantine authorities have dismissed claims that the lifting of the mask-wearing mandate was a 'political decision.'

On the 29th, when asked about the government's stance following the Presidential Transition Committee's expression of regret over the decision to lift the mask mandate, Jeong Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), responded, "The decision regarding outdoor mask-wearing measures was not made based on political considerations."

Commissioner Jeong explained, "We considered the continuous decline in confirmed cases over the past six weeks and the increasing immunity levels due to vaccinations and natural infections. Additionally, research showing that the risk of transmission indoors is 18.7 times higher than outdoors, and that outdoor environments are generally safer than indoors, were taken into account."

On the same day, the government announced that starting from the 2nd, the outdoor mask-wearing mandate will be lifted, with the obligation to wear masks remaining only at gatherings of 50 or more people, such as assemblies, performances, and sports events.

However, mask-wearing is strongly recommended in the following cases: ▲ if COVID-19 symptoms are suspected ▲ high-risk groups such as the elderly and unvaccinated individuals ▲ outdoor multi-use facilities like sports stadiums and amusement parks ▲ events with 50 or more attendees ▲ situations where many people gather and maintaining a 1-meter distance for more than 15 minutes is difficult ▲ and activities that generate many droplets, such as shouting or choir singing.

Earlier, Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the Transition Committee, criticized the government's announcement of lifting the outdoor mask mandate as "too hasty," expressing concerns that "there is a worry that the current administration is trying to take credit for the quarantine achievements."

Commissioner Jeong stated, "I believe there is general agreement on the fundamental necessity of lifting the outdoor mask mandate, though there may be differences in opinions regarding the timing and method."

She further emphasized that the announcement of lifting the outdoor mask mandate does not mean "masks are no longer necessary." She explained, "What we announced today is not a pre-declaration that masks are unnecessary outdoors. We recommend that the public participate voluntarily based on the experience they have gained over the past two years."

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