Prime Minister Han: "Timing for easing indoor mask rules will be decided if 2 out of 4 criteria are met"

Stabilization of Patient Cases and Decrease in Severe and Fatal Cases
Four Key Factors Including Stable Medical Response Capacity and Immunity Acquisition in High-Risk Groups
Medical Institutions and Pharmacies to Maintain Mask-Wearing Mandate for the Time Being

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 23rd, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced that if two or more of the four adjustment criteria for easing the indoor mask-wearing mandate are met, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) will discuss and decide the timing of implementation.

At the CDSCH meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building that morning, Prime Minister Han said, "Today, the CDSCH will finalize the 'Indoor Mask-Wearing Mandate Adjustment Criteria' prepared through expert consultations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Prime Minister introduced the criteria for determining the timing of easing the mask-wearing mandate as ▲ stabilization of patient occurrence ▲ reduction in severe and fatal cases ▲ stable medical response capacity ▲ and immunity acquisition among high-risk groups.

However, even if the mask-wearing mandate is eased, the obligation to wear masks in medical institutions, pharmacies, and some social welfare facilities will be maintained for the time being to protect vulnerable groups, with a phased transition planned.

With the winter season underway and COVID-19 resurging, it is expected that confirmed cases may temporarily increase if the indoor mask mandate is eased, so vaccination for immunocompromised groups is also encouraged.

Prime Minister Han emphasized, "As the six-week intensive vaccination period concludes next week, the vaccination rate in vulnerable facilities is close to 50%, while the rate for those aged 60 and over is low at 29%. We strongly urge those who have not yet participated in vaccination to do so."

He also urged quarantine authorities and local governments to "carefully monitor and prepare in advance to ensure there are no gaps in quarantine and medical response."

Furthermore, he added, "I thank the public for cooperating with mask-wearing despite the inconvenience for nearly three years since the outbreak of COVID-19. We ask for continued cooperation so that the quarantine situation stabilizes firmly and the mask-wearing mandate can be eased."

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