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South Korea to allow those with first Covid jab to ditch masks outdoors

Those who have completed both doses will be exempt from private gathering bans and the occupancy ceiling rule at restaurants and cafes.

Bernama
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A man wearing a face mask looks at a screen displaying precautions against the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, May 24. The letters read 'Keep social distancing and mandatory mask wearing as a prevent the spread of the coronavirus.' Photo: AP
A man wearing a face mask looks at a screen displaying precautions against the coronavirus in Seoul, South Korea, May 24. The letters read 'Keep social distancing and mandatory mask wearing as a prevent the spread of the coronavirus.' Photo: AP

South Korea announced Wednesday that people who have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors starting in July, as part of incentives for those participating in the public vaccine campaign.

The incentive programme announced at a daily interagency coronavirus response meeting also included a plan to lift the gathering ban for family members who have had their first vaccine dose, Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korea launched its two-dose vaccination regimen campaign in February and plans to achieve herd immunity by November.

Starting in July, those who have received their first vaccine jabs can go outdoors without masks. Those who have completed both doses will be exempt from private gathering bans and the occupancy ceiling rule at restaurants and cafes.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said health authorities plan to fully revise the government’s antivirus measures in late September, when more than 70% of people are projected to have received their first jabs.

“We will also review loosening indoor mask rules when reaching herd immunity,” Kim said.