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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

On first mask-free day, some feel uncomfortable with no masks

Students at Chonnam National University in Gwangju chat on Monday, the first day when the first relaxation of mask wearing regulations came into effect as the national daily COVID-19 infection case number continue to gradually decline. YonhapDaily COVID-19 infection cases drop to 20,084, lowest in nearly 3 monthsBy Ko Dong-hwanMonday marked the first day when the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate came into effect, 566 days since the nation introduced it in October 2020. Despite the relaxed rules, people seen in crowded city streets on Monday morning included both masked and unmasked members of the public. There were those with their mask in-hand while walking who only put it on when boarding public transport, so as to abide by the national quarantine regulations that still requires masks to be worn in enclosed or indoors spaces.It may be that news of the mandate's lift on Monday hasn't reached all, as some wearing masks may still think the measure is in place. Or it may be that the eased quarantine regulation simply needs more time for more members of the public to put themselves a

May 2, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
On first mask-free day, some feel uncomfortable with no masks
  • PHOTOS First mask-free day on streets after 18 months

Korea lifts outdoor mask mandate

People wearing masks walk near Yeouido Station in Seoul, May 2, the first day after the lifting of outdoor mask mandate. Yonhap New COVID-19 cases fell to around 20,000 for Sunday, marking the lowest level in nearly three months, as the government lifted the outdoor mask mandate in a major step toward regaining normalcy.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 20,084 new infections, including 26 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,295,733.Sunday's tally is a marked drop from the previous day's 37,771, and is the first time since early February that the daily count was in the 20,000s.The country added 83 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 22,958, the KDCA said, for a fatality rate of 0.13 percent; while the number of critically ill patients came to 461, down 32 it added.In line with the recent downward trend, the government scrapped the outdoor mask mandate starting Monday, except for large gatherings of 50 or more.The restrict

May 2, 2022
Korea lifts outdoor mask mandate

Last day for outdoor mask mandate; new COVID-19 cases dip below 40,000

A man wearing a face mask passes by a sign at a park in Seoul, April 29, reminding people to take precautions against COVID-19. AP-Yonhap New COVID-19 cases fell below 40,000, Saturday, continuing a steady decline from early last month, with the government set to lift the outdoor mask mandate in a major step toward returning to normalcy.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 37,771 new infections, including 30 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,275,649. The tally is a marked drop from the previous day's 43,286 and 50,568 reported Thursday. The daily counts have been on a steady decline since mid-March, when the number topped 600,000 at one point before coming down to five-digits over about a month. Eighty-one new deaths were recorded bringing the total to 22,875, the KDCA said, for a fatality rate of 0.13 percent. The number of critically ill patients came to 493, up from 490 the previous day. The modest fall in virus cases co

May 1, 2022
Last day for outdoor mask mandate; new COVID-19 cases dip below 40,000

New COVID-19 cases fall below 50,000; outdoor mask mandate set to be lifted

People wearing face masks pass by a poster in a subway station in Seoul, April 29, reminding them of precautions to take against COVID-19. AP-YonhapNew COVID-19 cases fell below 50,000, Friday, with infections from the Omicron variant continuing their downward curve and leading the government to lift its outdoor mask mandate.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 43,286 new cases, including 12 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,237,878.The number marks a sharp drop from 50,568 reported the previous day.Seventy more deaths were also reported, bringing the toll to 22,794; meanwhile the number of critically ill patients stood at 490, down 36 from the previous day.South Korea's COVID-19 cases have been decreasing after peaking in mid-March at over 600,000 ― the daily tally dropped to the 30,000s, April 25, for the first time in 76 days. Starting Monday, South Korea will lift the outdoor mask mandate, though people are still required to wear a mask when they attend gatherings of 50 or more people or enter multiuse facilities. (Yonhap)

Apr 30, 2022
New COVID-19 cases fall below 50,000; outdoor mask mandate set to be lifted

Current, incoming administrations clash over lifting mask mandate

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum speaks at a COVID-19 response meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, at the Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Joint Press CorpsKorea to lift outdoor mask mandate on MondayBy Jung Da-minThe current and incoming administrations are clashing over the former's decision to lift the outdoor mask mandate on Monday.Presiding over a COVID-19 response meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Friday, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced new guidelines for wearing masks including the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate. “Some raised concerns over this decision, but we have concluded that we cannot disregard the difficulties and inconveniences people have been going through, while not being able to take off their masks even when they walk alone or are on a family outing,” Kim said, adding that the quarantine and medical situation of the country have been stabilized.Citing the cases of France, New Zealand and Singapore, Kim said those countries lifted their mask mandates about a month after O

Apr 29, 2022
Current, incoming administrations clash over lifting mask mandate
  • End of mask mandates
  • Outdoor mask mandate to end Monday

Outdoor mask mandate to end Monday

Gimpo International Airport in Seoul is crowded with people wearing masks, April 29. YonhapThe government will lift its outdoor mask mandate Monday, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, though people will still need to wear a mask when they attend gatherings of 50 or more people or are in multiuse facilities.The decision on mask wearing comes a week after the administration scrapped most COVID-19 social distancing measures, including gathering limits and business hour curfews, as part of its effort to return to pre-pandemic normalcy amid a downward trend in COVID-19 cases. "Although there were concerns, we decided not to overlook the people's discomfort and frustration since they were not allowed take off their masks even when taking a walk alone and while on a family trip," Kim said during a coronavirus response meeting in Seoul. "Considering the virus situation which has been on a downward trend for six weeks since reaching its peak, and the people's earnest wishes, we decided to continue to remove antivirus curbs," he said.The mask mandate has been in place since October 2020. Curren

Apr 29, 2022
Outdoor mask mandate to end Monday
  • End of mask mandates
  • Current, incoming administrations clash over lifting mask mandate

Korea expected to lift outdoor mask mandate next week

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 walk along the Cheonggye Stream in Seoul, Feb. 28. AP-Yonhap The government is likely to lift the outdoor mask mandate next week, officials here said Thursday. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is expected to announce the decision during a COVID-19 response meeting Friday as the country continues to see a downward trend in infections. "Even after restrictions on private gatherings and business hours have been fully lifted, the downward trend continues in COVID-19 cases, while critical illness and fatality rates are stable," a government official said. "Experts think that lifting the mask wearing rule outdoors, where the risk of transmission is lower than indoors, is possible."Earlier this week, Ahn Cheol-soo, the chief of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's transition team, said the incoming government will determine whether to lift the outdoor mask mandate in late May. Ahn's remark is seen as a suggesti

Apr 28, 2022
Korea expected to lift outdoor mask mandate next week

Korea reports 57,464 new cases as Omicron wave continues to ebb

People wearing face masks walk along the public area of the Cheonggye Stream in Seoul, April 27. AP-Yonhap Daily new COVID-19 cases went down to fewer than 60,000, Wednesday, with most of the country's virus restrictions having been lifted amid the slowdown of the Omicron wave.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 57,464 new infections, including 21 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 17,144,065. The tally is slightly down from 76,787 cases reported for Tuesday and sharply down from the 90,867 a week earlier, the KDCA said.The Omicron wave has been declining after daily infections peaked at 621,178, March 17.The death toll came to 22,588, up 122 from the previous day; while the number of critically ill patients came to 552, up six, and the second day in a row that the total was under 600.To reflect the weakening pandemic, health authorities downgraded COVID-19 to the second-highest level of its four-tier infectious disease control

Apr 28, 2022
Korea reports 57,464 new cases as Omicron wave continues to ebb
  • Korea to decide on outdoor mask requirement in late May

Korea to decide on outdoor mask requirement in late May

Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the presidential transition committee and its COVID-19 subcommittee, speaks during a press conference at the committee's office in Tongui-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press CorpsGovernment expected to let new administration make decision By Nam Hyun-wooThe presidential transition committee said Wednesday that it will decide whether to remove Korea's requirement for people to wear face masks outdoors late next month, adding that the requirement to wear masks indoors will continue for a while.The incumbent Moon Jae-in administration had planned to announce whether it would maintain the requirement to wear face masks outdoors on Friday, but it is anticipated to follow the transition committee's policy direction to minimize public confusion.“Regarding the requirement to wear face masks outdoors, we plan to make a decision in late May after monitoring how the circumstances unfold,” Ahn said, Wednesday. “Right now, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in Korea is still the highest in the world, so it is difficult to co

Apr 27, 2022By Nam Hyun-woo
Korea to decide on outdoor mask requirement in late May
  • Korea reports 57,464 new cases as Omicron wave continues to ebb

Seoul fosters insect farmers to feed growing industry for creepy-crawlies

Students observe a larva during a 2020 class for insect farming training offered by Seoul Metropolitan Government. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government Korea's insect market swells to $286 million in 2020, expected to grow furtherBy Ko Dong-hwanThe Seoul Metropolitan Government has started looking for people aspiring to become virtual experts in entomology to boost the city's insect industry and the country's competitiveness in the international market for creepy-crawlies.The Urban Farming Division under the city government's Economic Policy Office on April 25 started accepting applicants for classes that begin in May and continue until October. With the class size limited to 30, the city's annual program teaches about various insects and their traits, how to farm insects, domestic and international insect markets, and insect smart-farming. Not only basic knowledge about insect farming, but expert-level know-how for those already engaged in the business will also be taught.Those who have learned from the city program since 2018 could serve as instructors at various farming techn

Apr 27, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
Seoul fosters insect farmers to feed growing industry for creepy-crawlies
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