S. Koreans urged to wear masks or face new fine
SEOUL. KAZINFORM - South Koreans taking the bus or subway to work Friday morning were greeted by public officials warning them of a 100,000 won (US$90) fine should they fail to wear a mask in public, Yonhap reports.
In a country that has received widespread praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, most people were already wearing a mask and did not need to be told to do so.
But for the few who chose not to wear a mask, or did not put it on properly, the officials were there to remind them of a new law that would make them pay starting Friday.
«Please wear a mask,» chanted the workers who were sent from the Seoul city government and Seoul Metro to meet the commuters at Gwanghwamun Station, one of the busiest subway stops in downtown Seoul.
Wearing sashes and carrying signs, the workers handed out fliers and masks to the passengers. Other officials in blue vests stood by the ticket gates to watch for any potential offenders.
One woman complained that wearing a mask has given her heart problems and other difficulties.
«They should govern the country properly, and let the people remove their masks, not issue fines,» she said of the officials.
The government has said it will impose a fine of up to 100,000 won only if a person ignores a public official's request to wear a mask.
Exceptions will also be made for children under the age of 14 and those who are not able to wear a mask on their own or due to medical conditions.
Moreover, masks are not required in certain situations, such as when eating or drinking, inside pools or public baths or when undergoing an ID check. Walks in the park, cycling and mountain climbing are also allowed without masks on if people remain at least 2 meters apart.
Around the same time at a bus stop in downtown Seoul, about a dozen city officials lined both sides of the road and gave out fliers and masks to passengers getting off buses.
Bus riders mostly kept their masks on, but a few pedestrians could be seen walking without a mask.
An official approached a man riding a bike without wearing a mask, and he quickly took one out of his pocket.
Another man was wearing a mask under his nose, and when approached by officials, he explained that he had only taken it down to eat.
«I think that if there are more cases of people not wearing a mask, the fine should be raised and enforcement strengthened so as to make everyone more alert,» said a 36-year-old Seoul citizen surnamed Kim.