Coronavirus: South Korea lifts mask mandate despite concerns; New Zealand reopening to foreign tourists
- The decision on masks came just days ahead of newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration on May 10 – and despite his team’s opposition
- New Zealand, meanwhile, wants to move away from mass tourism and entice more high-spending guests as it reopens to visitors after more than two years
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said the decision was made as the government could “no longer look away” from the inconveniences experienced by its citizens when the country’s virus situation was stabilising.
People are still required to wear masks at events with 50 attendants or more, such as at rallies, concerts and sports stadiums, Kim said.
South Korea reported 50,568 new coronavirus cases on Friday, well down from the peak of more than 620,000 a day in mid-March.
The decision came just days ahead of newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration on May 10 and despite his team’s opposition, prompting them to immediately express regrets and concerns over the announcement.
“The transition team agrees with pushing for the lifting of mask-wearing mandate as part of efforts to return to normal life, but we have stressed multiple times that removing the outdoor mask mandate at this point would be premature,” a spokesman for Yoon’s team told a briefing.