Mask sales continue to grow in Korea despite lifting of mask mandate

[Photo by Yonhap]

Many South Koreans still wear masks indoors and on public transportation even though the government lifted the mandate last week, industry data showed Monday.

According to multiple sources from the retail industry, sales of face masks increased last week when the mask mandate for public transportation ended on Monday. The surge comes as consumers still wear masks due to concerns about Covid-19 reinfection and fine dust and as the practice has simply become a habit.

Sales of face masks at TMON Inc., a leading e-commerce platform operator, jumped 20 percent between March 20~23 and March 16~19.

Sales at Wemakeprice Inc. also increased 8.9 percent and SSG.com Cop. 30 percent during the same period.

Fine dust or PM10 levels in Seoul and surrounding areas were all “bad” or “very bad” between March 20 and 23.

“Fine dust levels have increased and people still feel that they need to wear masks in public transportation settings,” said an unnamed official from the retail industry.