정부, 코로나19 백신 최대한 확보 목표... 서울시, 내일부터 마스크 미착용 단속 실시<br /><br />After an American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner company BioNTech have announced a COVID-19 vaccine they say is over 90 percent effective.<br />The South Korean health authorities say they're going to do whatever it takes to secure enough vaccines for the nation.<br />Our Choi Won-jong has this report.<br />To make sure there are enough vaccines, South Korea has paid deposits to several drugmakers to secure a place at or near the front of the queue when their vaccines are ready.<br />"We are currently doing well in reaching our goal of securing enough for 60% of the population by the end of this year. As I said, we will make sure to have enough vaccines even if we have to give up our entire deposit."<br />Although Pfizer recently said its vaccine is more than 90-percent effective, getting approval from the health authorities is expected to take several weeks.<br />South Korea has set up a panel of 20 vaccine experts... who'll set the standards based on which the country will make vaccine purchases from companies overseas.<br />In the meantime, starting Friday, the South Korean government is going to start fining people who don't wear masks when they're required to.<br />In principle, you have to wear a mask anywhere you can't keep a distance of at least two meters from others.<br />They're required at all times on public transportation, and at around two dozen types of facilities, including hospitals and at any gatherings of more than 5-hundred people.<br />It has to be an actual mask, and not a handkerchief or scarf.<br />Violators could face a fine of up to 90 U.S. dollars.<br />Masks are not required when eating, drinking or smoking.<br />As of Thursday, South Korea reported 143 new cases of COVID-19, staying in the triple digits for the fifth day in a row.<br />If the number doesn't go down, there could be stricter social distancing measures in the days to come.<br />Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.<br />
