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The government has decided to lift the obligation to wear a mask outdoors from next Monday.
However, the transition committee expressed regret that it is still premature.
Reporter Lee Ji-sun reports.
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From May 2nd, you will no longer be required to wear a mask outside.
It has been a year since the mandatory outdoor mask began in April last year.
Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 this morning, “It has been on the decline for the sixth week since the peak of Omicron.
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“There were concerns from some, but we decided that we cannot continue to ignore the frustration and inconvenience of the people who cannot take off their masks even on their own walks or family outings.”
However, in consideration of the risk of other infections due to crowding, the duty to wear a mask remains as it is now in outdoor multi-use facilities such as gatherings, events, performances, and sports stadiums attended by more than 50 people.
In addition, it is strongly recommended that people with symptoms of COVID-19 and high-risk groups wear a mask if it is difficult to keep a distance of more than 1 meter from other people or if there is a lot of droplet generation, even outdoors.
Prime Minister Kim said, “Many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, have lifted their outdoor mask obligations, but they are showing a decreasing trend without any particular problem.”
He added, “In order to protect the present daily life that has been difficult to recover, we ask that you wear a mask voluntarily, even outdoors, if necessary.”
The Presidential Transition Committee, which had previously planned to consider lifting the mandatory outdoor mask around ‘late May’ after the new government took office, expressed regret about the government’s measures today.
“We agree with the direction of lifting the mask, but we have been emphasizing that it is premature to lift the mask at this point,” the transition committee said.
This is Lee Ji-sun from MBC News.
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