Korea considers lifting mask mandate on public transportation

• Published date: 09 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

The government is considering lifting the mask mandate for public transportation soon, as COVID-19 infection numbers have continued decreasing in recent weeks.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Thursday that health authorities have been keenly monitoring the situation after most of the indoor mask-wearing rules were lifted on Jan. 30.

The authorities also consulted with experts about the possibility of further lifting the remaining rules, beginning with the rule for public transportation.

"The announcement about the timing will be made sometime next week," the official said.

Last May, Korea lifted its outdoor mask rule in a major step toward supporting a return to normality.

Then on Jan. 30 this year, the government lifted most of the rules for mask-wearing indoors, allowing people to visit most places, including schools, kindergartens and gyms, without masks.

Nonetheless...