South Korea distributes 3.65 million masks to most exposed workers

Text by: Frédéric Ojardias Follow

South Korea has announced that it will distribute millions of masks to workers most exposed to the coronavirus, as well as to foreign workers on its territory. Since the start of the epidemic, the vast majority of South Koreans have worn a mask as soon as they leave their homes. A habit deeply rooted in Asia, which seems to have played a role in the slower spread of the epidemic.

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With our correspondent in Seoul,

3.65 million masks will be distributed by the Ministry of Labor to taxi drivers, delivery people, and bus drivers , by May 8. The hundreds of thousands of foreign workers who do not have access to the national rationing system of 2 masks per week will also benefit. Many of these workers are employed in the industrial and distribution sectors.

Employees of telephone call centers will also benefit from the measure. They work in very close offices and talk all day, which promotes the spread of the virus. In mid-March, a center of infection declared itself in a Seoul call center, forcing authorities to test the hundreds of residents and employees of the building.

Mask helps protect others

Since the start of the crisis, the vast majority of South Koreans have been wearing a mask - sometimes in fabric for lack of anything better - as soon as they set foot outside. A practice also observed in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Japan, and which seems to partly explain the slower spread of the disease in these countries.

The virus can indeed be transmitted by postillions. This is why a mask, even if it is not a surgical mask, constitutes a first barrier. Above all, it helps protect others. Healthy carriers of the virus, who do not show symptoms, can be contagious without knowing it.

Despite a peak in contamination in early March, South Korea seems to be able to contain the epidemic and has not imposed total containment of the population.

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• South Korea
• Coronavirus