S. Korea imposes face mask fines, despite lowering to social distancing level 1

거리두기 1단계 속 오늘부터 마스크 의무화...한 달 계도 후 과태료Beginning today, the South Korean government says it will be imposing fines on people who do not wear face masks at places deemed at higher risk of COVID-19 infection like public transportation and hospitals.The fine will be imposed from mid-November following a 30-day grace period.Kim Hyo-sun reports.Health officials in South Korea have lowered the social distancing policy to Level one, but it has put in place stricter measures for face mask wearing.The public will be mandated to wear masks at multi-use facilities, and those who do not will be penalized."Starting November 13th, face mask wearing will be mandated at multi-use facilities, on public transportation and at rallies. Those who do not wear masks will be fined around 87 U.S. dollars."The policy, imposed starting October 13th, will have a grace period of a month until actual fines are imposed from November 13th.Individuals will be fined some 87 U.S. dollars, but managers of multi-use facilities who fail to mandate their staff and users to abide by the policy will be fined up to 2-thousand-6-hundred dollars.Under the new measure, everyone who uses public transportation, attends public rallies or visits hospitals will have to wear face masks,... regardless of the level of social distancing policy.The obligation, however, will not cover people under the age of 14, those who are unable to wear masks due to medical conditions, people on-air or athletes.Officials also say masks need to be worn properly,... meaning they are required to cover one's nose and mouth.Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.