eFM News

Starting from Monday, all citizens and foreign residents in South Korea can purchase protective face masks on any day of the week as the government's rationing system eases due to stabilized supplies.

Identification checks will still be required before purchase.

Adults can buy up to three masks per week but those under the age of 18 will be allowed to buy up to five masks a week with the resumption of in-person classes nationwide.

When the public mask distribution system was first imposed in March due to short supplies during the height of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, people could only purchase two masks per week on designated days based on their birth year.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has said the government is expanding production of lighter surgical masks for the public as hot and humid weather looms while the virus pandemic continues.