It has already passed its second week since social distance has been eased from 2.5 to 2. Dangerous areas such as restaurants and cafes in the Seoul metropolitan area have also been operating normally for the past two weeks. Despite the two-week implementation of phase 2.5 of social distance, the number of confirmed individuals still stands at three digits. It had briefly shrunk to double digits due to the impact of the 2.5 step but then surged again. In the meantime, as the Chuseok holiday approaches, there is a growing concern about collective infection. The government is urging people to refrain from visiting relatives' homes during the Chuseok holiday as much as possible.

The government also plans to strengthen the level of social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area and restrict the operation of facilities that had been eased in the non-metropolitan areas in case of mass infection. As reported in Newsis, the third day of new confirmation, and 83 out of 95 domestic cases were found to be in the Seoul metropolitan area, drawing more attention to the risk of infection in the Seoul metropolitan area. There were many infections in places where people inevitably come in close contacts, such as daycare centers and company buildings. Under these circumstances, experts are emphasizing the importance of properly wearing masks.

▲ image by YonHap News Agency

According to Yonhap News Agency, a confirmed three-day stay at the funeral home was reported on the 21st, but none of them had further infections. This is because everyone wore a mask properly, maintained distance while eating, and thoroughly followed social distancing rules. There are many examples of the importance of these masks. The cases of mass infection at cafes in the Seoul metropolitan area, including the case of Starbucks infection, show that all those who wear masks properly, the whole time, tested negative. Similar to this, people wearing masks in a small car all tested negative even though they were with an infected person.

If people wear the right mask and keep their social distance, they will be able to prevent the spread of the disease. For now, masks are the best vaccine.