서울시 지하철 방역 강화...혼잡 시 마스크 착용 의무화

Seoul Metropolitan government has decided to take stronger countermeasures against COVID-19,... this time on public transport.
All passengers now have to wear face masks on crowded subways.
Our Kim Sung-min tells us more. Seoul resident Hwang Hyeok takes the subway every day, but ever since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, he has been worried about people not wearing masks.
"I take the subway every day and when I see people who are not wearing masks, it makes me worried and frustrated."
But starting from Wednesday, people must wear masks on crowded subway trains in the capital.
This comes as Seoul Metropolitan Government has expanded its "distancing in daily life" measures to include the use of public transport.
"We are trying our best to keep the subway environment safe... such as by disinfecting trains more than 4 times a day. So as long as citizens follow this new measure of wearing masks, I believe it will be safe to take the subway."
When carriages are classed as "congested", people will be asked to put on masks, and further boarding will be restricted.
This level of congestion is when carriages reach over 150 percent of their recommended quota, based on the weight of 160 people in a carriage.
Sensors in the carriages can detect this weight and show current congestion levels.
For those who have forgotten to bring a mask from home, stations have placed vending machines that sell masks at street price.
"I totally support the change. I feel more relieved that people now have to wear masks on the subway. I also carry around extra masks just in case I forget to bring one."
Seoul Metro is also planning to provide passengers with daily congestion forecasts for the following day on its website and social media like Twitter at 6 PM.
For the busiest lines including lines 2, 4 and 6..., extra trains will run during rush hour.
Kim Sung-min, Arirang News