Outdoor Masks 'Strongly Recommended' for Those with COVID-19 Symptoms or in Crowded Situations

Full Outdoor Mask Mandate Lifted Starting from the 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From the 26th, the outdoor mask-wearing mandate will be fully lifted, but in certain situations with a high risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission, wearing masks outdoors will still be strongly recommended.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 23rd that the outdoor mask-wearing requirement will be changed from mandatory to recommended starting on the 26th. Accordingly, masks can be removed even at outdoor gatherings, performances, or sports events with 50 or more people, where the outdoor mask mandate had been maintained.

However, health authorities stated that even if not mandatory, wearing masks outdoors is strongly recommended in cases such as when COVID-19 symptoms are suspected.

Situations where outdoor mask-wearing is necessary include ▲having suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat ▲being in a high-risk group for COVID-19 or having close contact with someone in a high-risk group ▲being in crowded situations where droplet-generating activities such as shouting, singing, or talking are frequent. High-risk groups refer to the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, chronic respiratory disease patients, and unvaccinated persons.

Health authorities explained that in crowded situations with many people and frequent droplet-generating activities, the need to wear masks increases.

A representative from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters emphasized, "This relaxation measure does not mean that wearing masks outdoors is unnecessary," and added, "Individual voluntary practice according to the situation is still necessary."

They also stressed that the personal choice to wear a mask outdoors should be respected, and urged each citizen to decide whether to wear a mask voluntarily according to the recommendations and the situation.

The government explained that when coughing or sneezing without wearing a mask outdoors, it has become even more important to follow 'cough etiquette' by covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of the sleeve. They also emphasized continuing hand hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap for 30 seconds and using hand sanitizer.

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