Indoor Mask Removal...? Experts Recommend "Switch to Wearing Advisory, Isolation for 3 Days"

People Power Party Holds 'Indoor Mask' Meeting Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Experts have expressed the opinion that it would not be unreasonable to change the indoor mask-wearing mandate to a recommendation, considering medical response conditions and practical benefits. The option to shorten the COVID-19 isolation period, currently set at 7 days, to 3 days was also discussed.

At the 'Expert Roundtable on the Discussion of Lifting the Indoor Mask-Wearing Mandate' hosted by the People Power Party on the 21st, experts reportedly made these remarks. Seong Il-jong, chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, told reporters immediately after the roundtable, "Judging by various conditions, there was a consensus among experts that switching mask-wearing to a recommendation would not cause significant problems," adding, "They referred to foreign precedents where masks have been mostly removed and said that our medical response capabilities are sufficient." Regarding the timing of lifting the mandate, he said, "The common opinion was that there is no need to be overly concerned about the timing."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Issues such as language development problems in infants and young children caused by mask-wearing were also mentioned. Chairman Seong said, "There are considerable problems with language development disorders in children due to mask-wearing, and there have been several studies on this by academic societies," adding, "A pediatric specialist mentioned that the benefits to children when masks are removed outweigh the advantages of wearing them." He continued, "Looking at data such as the antibody positivity rate survey showing that 98% have antibodies, experts gave the opinion that it would be acceptable to change the mandate to a recommendation without much fear, allowing those who want to wear masks to continue doing so."

Language development disorders in infants and young children due to masks also a concern

The adjustment of the isolation period for COVID-19 infection was also discussed at the roundtable. Chairman Seong said, "Currently, the isolation period for COVID-19 infection is about 7 days, but medical staff isolate for 3 days. Since this is logically inconsistent, experts expressed the opinion that 3 days would be sufficient," adding, "The party plans to propose this opinion to the government as well."

Earlier, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong stated at a press briefing on the 19th, "We prepared criteria for transitioning isolation mandates in April and began evaluations in June, but I understand that the evaluation was suspended due to the resurgence of COVID-19," adding, "Once the winter epidemic situation stabilizes, and COVID-19 is reclassified as a Category 4 infectious disease, this will need to be reviewed in connection with that."

The ruling party plans to organize the contents of the roundtable into a report and present their opinions at the party-government meeting scheduled for the 22nd. The quarantine authorities plan to announce the adjustment plan for the indoor mask-wearing mandate at the Central Disease Control Headquarters meeting on the 23rd.

Meanwhile, experts participating in the roundtable included Professor Jeon Byung-yul of the Department of Preventive Medicine at CHA University School of Medicine, Professor Choi Jae-wook of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine, Chairman Jung Sung-kwan of Woori Children’s Hospital, and Professor Kang Dae-hee of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine.

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