South Korea has scrapped face mask mandates for most indoor public places in a major step to reduce and loosen remaining COVID-19 rules.
From Monday, January 30th, South Korea scrapped face mask mandates for the majority of indoor locations which is the country’s latest step in easing restrictions as new cases are slowing down. People are still required to wear masks on public transport and in medical facilities.
Most residents welcome the new policy, especially business owners and visitors of South Korea’s more bustling districts. However, many citizens have said they will still wear masks until the pandemic is fully over.
“I’d thought it was kind of meaningless we had to put the masks on just to enter and leave a restaurant, so it’s nice that has changed now,” said Yoon Seok-jun, a 30-year-old office worker at Gwanghwamun.
Kim Jae-jin, 28, also said he was glad he could now work out at a gym without wearing a face mask. Still, he said he will continue putting on the coverings in most public facilities.
“It would be much more comfortable to run on treadmill but I am still concerned about a new respiratory disease after COVID,” said Kim, an office worker.
“COVID-19 isn’t over yet and it looks like masks do protect me from getting cold and other diseases, so I think I’ll wear them for the time being,” Jeong Hye-won, a 28-year-old Seoul office worker said.
The country has done away with most of its pandemic-related restrictions, but it maintains a 7-day isolation rule for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The relaxing of rules comes three years after South Korea reported its first case of COVID-19 on Jan. 20th, 2020.
This article has been written using information and quotes from reuters.com.
