Mask mandate to be lifted from Jan.30

 

 

By Steve Yoon

 

Korean government has decided to lift the mask mandate for most indoor spaces from January 30.

 

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday the government plans to lift the mandate for most indoor spaces from January 30, dropping its last remaining pandemic restriction as the daily caseload continues to decline.

 

Earlier, the government had said the indoor masking restrictions will be downgraded to a recommendation through two stages, and the nation will enter the first stage upon meeting two out of four criteria.

 

The four criteria are as follows; a stable number of daily infections, a reduction in critical cases and deaths, a sufficient capacity of ICU beds to treat critically ill patients and an acceptable immunity level within high-risk groups.

 

"The government will discuss and confirm the plan to ease the indoor mask mandate starting Jan. 30, with the exception of some facilities," Han said during the government virus response meeting.

 

Han added that three out of the four have reached target figures, with booster vaccination coverage among the elderly the only exception.

 

The government will set the date for the policy change given that in-person meetings will increase during the Lunar New Year holiday, which will last through Tuesday.

 

The prime minister asked local authorities to stay vigilant against a temporary spike in infections following the holiday and the change in indoor mask policy.

 

The mandate will remain in place for the time being at hospitals, pharmacies and public transportation.


 

 

[저작권자ⓒ 산경투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]

출처 : 산경투데이(https://www.sankyungtoday.com)

 

Mask mandate to be lifted from Jan.30 (sankyungtoday.com)

Mask mandate to be lifted from Jan.30