Several countries in the world were previously reports to have lifted mandatory masks and relaxed social restrictions due to the low daily case data.
However, after some time has passed, the world has experienced another bump in Covid-19 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the Delta variant, which is highly contagious and detected in 111 countries.
Then, what about the six countries that have previously implemented a mask-free policy? Here’s the list.
South Korea
In June, South Korea announced that people who had been vaccinating were no longer required to wear masks and could gather. This condition makes South Korea considered one of the first countries in Asia which successfully control the pandemic.
But now, South Korea is facing the worst surge in Covid-19 cases ever. Recorded on Thursday, July 14, 2021, South Korea found 1,615 daily cases.
This condition prompted the South Korean government to re-restrict the activities of its citizens. In Seoul, people were prohibited from seeing face-to-face more than one person from 6 pm onwards.
Sweden
Currently, the Covid-19 case in Sweden is still relatively stable, it tends to decrease. It’s just that the government stipulates a mandatory test for all immigrants who enter from abroad because there are concerns about the Delta variant.
Netherlands
At the end of June 2021, the Netherlands began to relax its policy of restricting its community activities. Since that, Covid-19 cases in the Netherlands have skyrocketed.
Due to the heavy criticism, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte finally apologized and re-implemented a policy of restrictions.
Israel
In February, Israel began to relax its restrictive policies, and in mid-June, the people stopped wearing masks.
Since that, the Delta variant appeared, and Covid-19 cases increased. Israel recorded its highest case in four months on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, with 754 new cases.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has finally re-implemented a policy of restrictions, including the mandatory wearing of masks.
USA
The United States of America (USA) has become a country that is quite severe during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19’s daily case in the US had become the largest in the world until the vaccination program is launched. Then the cases are slowly decreasing.
Several states with low Covid-19 cases and high vaccination coverage rates have relaxed restrictions, including mandatory masks. It is based on recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which had supported the policy of removing masks for people who have been vaccinated.
Nationally, the delta variant of Covid-19’s case in the US is now starting to increase. Various parties are calling for vaccinations and re-implementing masks’ use.
Australia
For most of the pandemic, Australia has not implemented broad restrictive policies and mandatory masks. It is because of the government’s quick reaction to a short lockdown if there are signs of an increase in cases in one area.
Since the appearance of the Delta variant, Sydney is undergoing a strict lockdown.
Keep obeying health protocols and always keep your health immunity!
