For the first time since the global pandemic, the Korean government lifted the indoor mask mandate policy on January 30th, 2023; however, the public opinion remains divided between relief and concerns regarding the resurgence of the virus.

People in Korea are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor facilities including restaurants, schools, and gyms, with the exception of public transportation and medical facilities where the mask mandate remains in order to prevent the spread of the virus. 

However, stores are now given the choice to adjust their policies to allow their customers some leeway to not wear masks or require masks until the pandemic is fully over.

The mask regulation has taken effect since October 2020 at the peak of the spread of the virus and people have been fined up to 100,000 won if caught not cooperating with this mandate. 

The outdoor mask mandate has already been lifted since September 26 of last year but the lifting of the indoor mask mandate has only been a recent decision by the Korean government. 

The spread of the covid virus has decreased significantly compared to the peak of the pandemic last year, and the government has decided that it is finally safe to lift the mask pandemic. 

This recent development has been made due to a decline in the winter spike of the covid virus and since the overall situation is under the control of the government.

With other countries like the U.S. and the United Kingdom that have already removed mask mandates since last year, Korea is one of the last countries to allow not wearing masks in indoor facilities. 

In a press briefing, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has  recommended wearing masks in indoor places for people who have been in direct contact with a covid patient or are in places with limited ventilation that could increase the danger of the spread of the virus.

Health authorities also noted that the lift of the mask mandate does not mean masks are no longer able to prevent the virus and agreed with the KDCA that people in vulnerable situations and those experiencing symptoms are recommended to continue wearing masks. 

Many citizens are relieved that the mask mandate has been lifted both indoors and outdoors after a long two years since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

However, due to the lifting of the mandate being a recent occurrence, some are still hesitant to completely stop wearing masks in indoor spaces.

Masks have been a part of everyday life in Korea, and citizens have gotten highly accustomed to wearing masks everywhere in the past three years.

They express concerns that by completely eliminating the masks, they could be in danger of contracting the virus and claim that they will continue wearing masks until the pandemic is fully over. 

The fact that many people still have this concern can be made evident as most people are continuing to wear the mask in stores, schools, and even outside transportation stations. 

Although the indoor mask mandate policy being lifted is significant progress for Korea, the reactions of citizens show that it will take some time to fully return to our daily lives before the pandemic. 

Seoyeon Yu
Grade 11
Korea International School Jeju