South Korea will not reinstate its outdoor mask mandate, the country’s health minister said Tuesday, as the government continues to ease COVID-19 measures amid a decline in new cases.
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-ho made the announcement during a government meeting, stating that the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted soon and that people will not be required to wear masks outdoors unless they are in crowded areas.
The decision was made based on the government’s assessment that the COVID-19 situation in South Korea has improved significantly, with the daily number of new cases falling below 50,000. The government also considered the fact that a majority of the population has been fully vaccinated and that the virus has become less severe due to the widespread Omicron variant.
Cho said that while the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted, people should still wear masks in crowded areas, such as public transportation, markets, and large gatherings, to protect themselves and others from the virus.
South Korea has been gradually easing its COVID-19 measures in recent months. The government lifted the indoor mask mandate in May and has since been relaxing other restrictions, such as social distancing rules and limits on gathering sizes.
The decision to lift the outdoor mask mandate is a significant step towards a return to normalcy in South Korea. However, the government has emphasized that it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will reinstate the mask mandate if necessary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that people wear masks outdoors in crowded areas where there is a high risk of transmission. The WHO also recommends that people wear masks indoors when they are in close contact with others, regardless of vaccination status.
Here are some additional details about South Korea’s decision to lift the outdoor mask mandate:
* The mandate will be lifted on October 2, 2022.
* People will still be required to wear masks indoors in crowded areas, such as public transportation, markets, and large gatherings.
* The government will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will reinstate the mask mandate if necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns about the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate in South Korea, please consult with your healthcare provider or the South Korean government’s website..
