Expert Panel Discussion on Lifting the 'Indoor Mask Mandate' Starting Today

Live Broadcast on Disease Control Agency's YouTube 'Apeujima TV'

On the 11th, passengers are wearing masks at the restaurant area of the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government will hold an expert forum on the 15th to gather opinions ahead of announcing the indoor mask-wearing obligation adjustment criteria on the 23rd.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will hold an expert forum on the theme of "COVID-19 Response Direction" at the Korea Press Center from 3 p.m. on the same day. The forum will be broadcast live to the public through the KDCA's YouTube channel, "Apeujima TV."

Earlier, the government presented a basic policy to lift the indoor mask-wearing obligation except for some high-risk facilities from January to March next year. However, concerns about adjusting the mask-wearing obligation have arisen as the winter resurgence of COVID-19 is intensifying again, influenza is simultaneously spreading, and the new BN.1 variant is spreading.

At the forum, experts are expected to present opinions on the criteria for adjusting the indoor mask-wearing obligation. Discussions will focus on specific criteria, such as how to designate facilities where some mask-wearing obligations will be maintained while transitioning the indoor mask-wearing obligation to a recommendation or voluntary basis.

Im Sook-young, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters Situation Management Team, explained at a briefing the day before, "We will discuss with experts at the forum, including exemption plans for infection-vulnerable facilities and winter vaccination rates."

The government plans to announce the final adjustment plan at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 23rd after the expert public forum and discussions at the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee.

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