Korea to lift mask mandate for most indoor spaces Jan. 30

most teachers still wearing them (me included, just because im used to it, but if the majority start taking theirs off i'll follow suit). i don't wear it at my desk, though.

All of the teachers at my main school basically keep their masks on if they step away from their desks, but they take them off while at their desks. I do see them occasionally walk short distances without their masks on but they usually slip them on if someone approaches them.

Most of the students in my school aren't wearing masks, and the teachers aren't pressuring them to wear them like they did last year, so I don't think there's any rule that says they must anymore. It's probably at their discretion, but I haven't been officially told anything. Every time I ask someone, I get told different variations of "I don't know", lol. I mean, if they're not bothered by it, then I'm not going to be.

Surprisingly, my gym dropped the mask mandate right on Jan. 30, and more than half of the gym members I've seen stopped wearing their masks within the first week. Now, it's around 90%.

A lot of shops aren't enforcing mask rules, either, which also kind of surprised me for a hot second, but I guess it makes sense since I was seeing a lot of people in my area passive aggressively pushing back on the mask mandate last year. They were definitely ready to be done with it.

All of the teachers at my main school basically keep their masks on if they step away from their desks, but they take them off while at their desks. I do see them occasionally walk short distances without their masks on but they usually slip them on if someone approaches them.

Most of the students in my school aren't wearing masks, and the teachers aren't pressuring them to wear them like they did last year, so I don't think there's any rule that says they must anymore. It's probably at their discretion, but I haven't been officially told anything. Every time I ask someone, I get told different variations of "I don't know", lol. I mean, if they're not bothered by it, then I'm not going to be.

Surprisingly, my gym dropped the mask mandate right on Jan. 30, and more than half of the gym members I've seen stopped wearing their masks within the first week. Now, it's around 90%.

A lot of shops aren't enforcing mask rules, either, which also kind of surprised me for a hot second, but I guess it makes sense since I was seeing a lot of people in my area passive aggressively pushing back on the mask mandate last year. They were definitely ready to be done with it.

From what I've heard, the mask rules now are: while you are on public transport, or in a medical building (hospital / doctors office / etc.) you have to wear one, but anywhere else it's recommended and up to the place if you have to wear one to enter. I think my school is making everyone wear one, as I believe one of the teachers is at-risk.

And yeah, I've started noticing employees in businesses not wear one anymore. When I go to Salabout for a meal, the employees aren't wearing one, but when I go to Paris Baguette the employees are wearing them. I'm not sure if the gym I go to mentioned anything about masks, the employees usually still wear one, but 90% of the gym goers I see stopped wearing them.

I'm surprised by the number of people that are still wearing them at my gym.  I would say 90% are still masked, but I have been going there at 7am this past week, so maybe when the younger crowds shows up in the afternoon they are dropping them.  Students still seem to be wearing them and I won't have any classes until Monday so don't know what approach the school is taking. I am walking around with one in my pocket.   

From what I've heard, the mask rules now are: while you are on public transport, or in a medical building (hospital / doctors office / etc.) you have to wear one, but anywhere else it's recommended and up to the place if you have to wear one to enter. I think my school is making everyone wear one, as I believe one of the teachers is at-risk.

I don't think this is allowed.  The big boss says "You don't have to", the pencil-neck middle manager can't just say, "I don't care what the boss says, wear your mask."  The government specifically decreed schools no longer can require masks.

I don't think this is allowed.  The big boss says "You don't have to", the pencil-neck middle manager can't just say, "I don't care what the boss says, wear your mask."  The government specifically decreed schools no longer can require masks.

I mentioned "I think" my school is making us wear them still, as I'm not 100% sure, there was a meeting yesterday in Korean, and masks were talked about a lot.
All I know, is last year, we had a teacher or 2 that have underlying health issues that make them at risk to covid. I'm unsure which teachers, they may have even transferred, but it's easy enough to just wear a mask, and wearing a mask doesn't seem to bother anyone, except a couple students, here. And I personally wouldn't want to risk passing on covid to someone who is at risk.

I mentioned "I think" my school is making us wear them still, as I'm not 100% sure, there was a meeting yesterday in Korean, and masks were talked about a lot.
All I know, is last year, we had a teacher or 2 that have underlying health issues that make them at risk to covid. I'm unsure which teachers, they may have even transferred, but it's easy enough to just wear a mask, and wearing a mask doesn't seem to bother anyone, except a couple students, here. And I personally wouldn't want to risk passing on covid to someone who is at risk.

Oh, I understand.  I'm just pointing out that public schools cannot require you to wear a mask.  There are certainly valid reasons to do so, but OTOH, as a language teacher, it has definitely interfered with my ability to improve articulation and pronunciation. 

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230315001400315

South Korea will end the mask mandate for public transportation next week, the government announced Wednesday, lifting one of the last-remaining COVID-19 restrictions amid a stable virus situation.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230315001400315

poor people rejoice! 

when do you think you'll see a majority of koreans not wearing masks?...  maybe summer?

poor people rejoice! 

when do you think you'll see a majority of koreans not wearing masks?...  maybe summer?

Summer 2025.

poor people rejoice! 

when do you think you'll see a majority of koreans not wearing masks?...  maybe summer?

I think as the weather gets warmer more people will start to ditch the masks. This announcement also helps. People needed needed to keep a mask on them daily for public transportation.