'Indoor Mask' Gradual Adjustment... Attempting Smooth Landing of Level 2

Current Winter Resurgence
Low Uptake of Additional Winter Vaccinations
Concerns Over Worsening Quarantine Indicators

Debate on Easing Isolation Requirements
7 Days → 3 Days Opinions Divided

On the 23rd, a notice regarding mask-wearing was posted at a bookstore in downtown Seoul. On the same day, the government finalized and announced a plan to adjust the indoor mask-wearing mandate through a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Byun Seon-jin] The government's adjustment plan for indoor mask-wearing obligations announced on the 23rd emphasizes setting criteria that allow for discussions on lifting the mandate rather than specifying a particular timeline. The plan aims to ease the burden of quarantine measures in two stages to soften the impact and ensure a smooth transition when lifting indoor mask requirements. However, it remains uncertain whether this can be implemented in the short term amid the ongoing winter resurgence of COVID-19. Concerns have also been raised that a large-scale outbreak could recur due to the low uptake of additional winter vaccinations, which are crucial to preventing severe cases.

Only 1 of 4 Criteria Met

The health authorities first decided to convert the indoor mask-wearing obligation into a recommendation, adjusting it step-by-step based on the epidemic situation and the risk level of each facility. Specific criteria were also established. Regarding ‘stabilization of patient occurrence,’ it assumes a continuous decrease in weekly patient cases for more than two weeks. For ‘reduction in severe and fatal cases,’ the weekly number of severe patients must decrease compared to the previous week, and the fatality rate must be below 0.10%. In terms of medical response capacity, the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds that can be mobilized within four weeks must be at least 50%. For immunity acquisition among high-risk groups, the additional vaccination rate criteria are set at 50% for the elderly (aged 60 and above) and 60% for infection-vulnerable facilities. If two of these four criteria are met and there is no concern about a sudden surge in cases due to new variants or overseas situations, the indoor mask mandate can be changed to a recommendation.

Even if the primary indoor mask-wearing obligation is lifted upon meeting the criteria, masks must still be worn for the time being in medical institutions, pharmacies, certain social welfare facilities, and public transportation to protect high-risk groups. Subsequently, if the domestic COVID-19 crisis level is downgraded to ‘caution’ or ‘alert,’ or if the legal infectious disease classification is adjusted from the current level 2 to level 4, the second stage of adjustment will be implemented. In this second stage, the mask-wearing obligation will be lifted even in some indoor spaces where it was previously maintained, transitioning to a lifestyle of recommended mask-wearing only in situations where it is necessary.

However, at present, only the medical response capacity criterion is met. New confirmed cases and severe patients are increasing due to the winter resurgence, and the additional vaccination rates are far from the targets, standing at 28.8% for the elderly and 48.9% for infection-vulnerable facilities as of this date. Particularly, with China’s abandonment of its ‘zero COVID’ policy and the domestic share of the new BN.1 variant exceeding 20%, concerns about a rapid surge in cases remain, making it unlikely that the criteria will be met immediately.

"Variables Worsening Quarantine Indicators"

Aside from the indoor mask-lifting criteria set by the government, indicators showing a worsening domestic quarantine situation are a burden. The ‘twindemic’?the simultaneous spread of influenza and COVID-19?is a prime example. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of influenza-suspected patients in outpatient clinics was 41.9 per 1,000 patients during the recent week (December 11?17), a 38% increase from the previous week (30.3). Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s Infectious Diseases Department said, "In a situation where COVID-19 and influenza are spreading simultaneously, lifting indoor mask mandates inevitably leads to increases in confirmed cases, severe cases, and deaths," adding, "There remain concerning aspects."

It is also uncertain whether the winter resurgence will subside easily. Experts believe the spread of the BN.1 variant will delay the peak of the epidemic. Professor Kim Woo-joo of Korea University Guro Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department said, "During this winter resurgence, confirmed cases, severe cases, and deaths are increasing daily. New variants like BN.1 are spreading, and cold weather combined with crowded environments is worsening quarantine indicators," adding, "While countries like the U.S. are announcing measures to respond to the year-end and New Year increase in COVID-19, it is ironic that South Korea is moving in the opposite direction." He emphasized that measures to increase vaccination rates, antiviral drug administration, and reinforcement of the insufficient medical system are more urgent at present.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is removing his mask to speak at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. The government will finalize and announce the indoor mask mandate adjustment plan following this meeting. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Debate Over Reducing Isolation Obligation from ‘7 Days to 3 Days’

Along with lifting the indoor mask mandate, discussions are underway regarding easing isolation obligations. At a government-party consultative meeting the previous day, the ruling party proposed reducing the isolation period for confirmed cases from the current 7 days to 3 days to the health authorities. Seong Il-jong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, said, "Medical staff can return to work immediately after about 3 days of isolation when infected, but the public is currently required to isolate for a week," adding, "Experts have expressed opinions that the regulation should be revised to unify the isolation period to 3 days."

However, experts remain cautious about this and further discussion appears necessary. Professor Eom said, "Reducing the isolation period to 3 days means that patients who can still infect others will be out in public places more frequently," adding, "There is no reasonable basis or criteria for why it should be 3 days, and the culture of ‘staying home when sick’ may not be properly established, which is an important point."

Professor Kim also said, "Although there are cases overseas where isolation is recommended rather than mandatory or shorter than 7 days, calls to ease isolation periods in South Korea overlook the reality that the healthcare system was overwhelmed due to the large number of confirmed cases," adding, "This could become a spark for a surge in infections, including hidden cases."

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