The use of a mask outdoors, one of the last sanitary measures applied in South Korea, will cease to be mandatory from Monday, the authorities announced today.
It will, however, remain mandatory on public transportation, in closed public spaces that welcome the public, and when attending gatherings of more than 50 people outdoors, said Jong Yun-kong, director of the Korea Office of Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDA).
The official stressed that the lifting of the measure is possible thanks to “the patience and cooperation of the citizens for a long time”.
The spread of the new coronavirus in South Korea has been slowing since March 17, when a record 620,000 infections were recorded, the peak of the wave attributed to the most contagious Omicron variant and in particular to the BA sub-variant.2. In addition to cases, the number of patients in intensive care units is also declining and the capacity of the health system is adequate, Ms. Jong explained.
In recent weeks, authorities have gradually lifted most other restrictive measures, such as reducing the hours of restaurants and movie theaters, limiting the number of people who could gather indoors and outdoors, and quarantining travelers from abroad.
In the 24 hours until midnight yesterday Thursday, 50,568 cases of SARS-CoV-2 were confirmed and 136 patients died due to complications of COVID-19.
The pandemic death toll rose to 22,724 out of a total of 17,194,616 infections, according to the KCDA. The mortality rate remained unchanged at 0.13%.
The number of cases decreased compared to 57,464 the previous day and 81,043 last Friday.
The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals in critical condition decreased to 526 (-26 in 24 hours).
At this stage, 86.8% of South Korea’s population of 52 million have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 64.5% have received booster doses.
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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