South Korea has reportedly planned to ease outdoor face mask restrictions next week in its latest step to ease COVID-19 mandates despite the incoming government’s opposition.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum expressed that the government could no longer ignore the inconveniences witnessed by its citizens, as the virus situation in the country stabilizes.

However, Kim added that people will need to wear masks at events with more than 50 attendants like concerts, rallies, and sports stadiums.

South Korea registered nearly 50,568 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. This is lesser than the peak number of 620,000 daily cases in mid-March.

The decision came days before the inauguration of newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol on May 10^th despite opposition from the President’s team. This prompted a response of concerns and regrets over the announcement.

In a briefing, a spokesperson from Yoon’s team mentioned that the transition team agrees to lift the mask mandate to retain normalcy. However, it has been emphasized several times that easing the mask restrictions would be a premature move.

Earlier this week, the transition team head, Ahn Cheol-soo revealed that the government is planning to make outdoors mask-free by the end of May.

South Korea has already eased most of its pandemic-related restrictions, including a midnight curfew on restaurants and other ventures. The country has also somehow managed to curb critical and death cases through extensive vaccinations and has upscaled the efforts to successfully track and contain patients.

Interestingly, almost 87% of the country’s population is completely vaccinated, with 65% getting their booster dose, as per the data provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

New Zealand opens the country to international tourists

Meanwhile, New Zealand is preparing to open its borders to foreign tourists after over two years, with tourism operators reemploying guides, reopening gift shops, and bracing to welcome back international tourists starting May 2^nd if they can produce proof of negative pre-departure test and vaccination.

Source credits: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3175926/coronavirus-south-korea-lifts-mask-mandate-despite-concerns-new?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3175926