It is expected that health authorities will consider making it mandatory to wear a mask only in certain places, such as public transportation.
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong said at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's general audit of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, "We will actively review the improvement measures in consideration of overseas cases where medical institutions, public transportation, social welfare facilities, etc.
Previously, Rep. Kim Mi-ae, a member of the People's Strength, criticized the mandatory wearing of masks in all indoor facilities as an 'administrative-convenience-oriented idea', and pointed out that there is a great risk of delaying the development of language and social skills of infants and young children.
Among the OECD member countries and other major countries, Korea is currently the only country that requires all indoor facilities to wear a mask.
The United States, France, and the Netherlands do not have a compulsory policy to wear a mask, and most countries make it compulsory in some places such as medical facilities, public transportation, and social welfare facilities.
(Photo = National Assembly Photo Reporters, Yonhap News)