By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae

Passengers from May 26 are not allowed to board public transportation such as buses, taxis and subways without masks, and the same rule will be applied from May 27 to those on domestic or international flights.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced on May 25 these and other strengthened measures for public transit to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Since the pandemic's outbreak, health authorities have continuously taken action to contain the coronavirus, including implementing preventive measures within vehicles and advising both drivers and passengers to wear masks. With the weather growing warmer lately, however, complaints have risen over people not wearing masks and the growing number of confirmed cases among public transit workers. This prompted authorities to devise stronger measures to tackle these issues.

A ban on passengers without masks from riding public transportation was expanded nationwide. Such a ban had been enacted from May 12 by select cities such as Seoul, Busan and Daegu.

Bus or taxi drivers must also wear masks. Municipal and provincial leaders can take additional actions if this rule is not followed.

Public transportation employees may restrict or ban passengers not wearing masks. Laws on buses, taxis and railroads prohibit the banning of passengers without justifiable cause, but these statutes are temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The use of masks in air travel will also be strengthened. Certain airline companies from May 18 made mask wearing mandatory but from May 27 at midnight, all air carriers will require passengers to wear masks on both domestic and international flights.

The countermeasure headquarters said, "Through this policy, we expect to stop the spread of infection in public transportation and thus allow passengers to use public transportation without worry."

km137426@korea.kr