Severe cases exceed 500 after three months... Indoor mask 'Level 2 easing' possibly before Seol holiday

Excluding Medical Institutions and Public Transport
Discussion on Gradual Lifting of Mask Mandate
Decision Likely Based on Quarantine Indicators

A citizen visiting Yongsan-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is moving to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the winter resurgence of COVID-19 continues, the number of critically ill patients has reached the 500s, marking the highest in three months. With the quarantine authorities scheduled to announce adjustments to the indoor mask-wearing mandate this week, tensions are rising.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 19th, as of midnight the previous day, the number of critically ill patients was 520, soaring into the 500s for the first time in 90 days since September 19 (508 patients). Among the critically ill patients currently hospitalized, 460 were high-risk individuals aged 60 and over, accounting for 88.5%. The daily new confirmed cases were 58,862, the highest number announced on a Sunday in 15 weeks since September 4 (72,112 cases).

With the winter resurgence worsening quarantine indicators and an expected increase in interpersonal contact due to year-end and New Year’s gatherings, the quarantine authorities are on edge ahead of the announcement of the indoor mask-wearing mandate adjustment on the 23rd. The government is reportedly discussing a two-step adjustment plan regarding the lifting of the indoor mask-wearing mandate.

First, the initial step would adjust the indoor mask-wearing mandate to a recommendation, excluding certain facilities such as medical institutions, welfare facilities, and public transportation. The second step would involve a full lifting of the mandate. There is also speculation that the first step could take place before the Lunar New Year holiday starting on the 21st of next month, if the winter COVID-19 wave slows down.

However, the timing may be adjusted depending on the epidemic situation. At an expert discussion held on the 15th, Im Suk-young, the Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, cited examples of evaluation indicators such as ▲ trends in new confirmed cases and the reproduction number ▲ ICU bed occupancy rates ▲ trends in new critically ill patients and fatality rates ▲ vaccination rates for the elderly and infection-vulnerable facilities during winter.

The quarantine authorities are conducting modeling work to predict the epidemic forecast based on various indicators and plan to present the possible timing for lifting the indoor mask mandate at the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee meeting held today. The adjustment plan will be finalized and announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 23rd after further government discussions following the advisory committee meeting.

Meanwhile, starting today, pre-booking for the Moderna bivalent vaccine developed to respond to the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 begins. Vaccinations will be administered from the 26th on the same day as the appointment, and vaccinations for reserved appointments will be available from the 2nd of next month. The quarantine authorities are urging active participation in winter vaccinations to respond to the winter resurgence.

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