SKorea rescinds 'anti-epidemic pass' to free up resources

South Korea will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination or negative tests to enter any indoor space starting Tuesday, removing a key preventive measure during a fast-developing omicron surge that's elevating hospitalizations and deaths.

A senior health official said rescinding the so-called "anti-epidemic pass" would free more health workers to help monitor nearly 800,000 virus patients with mild or moderate symptoms who have been asked to isolate at home to save hospital space. 

Officials have rapidly expanded at-home treatments while significantly easing quarantine restrictions.  There seems to be limited political capacity to strengthen social distancing ahead of the March 9 presidential election.

More than 86% of the country's population of more than 51 million are fully vaccinated and around 61% have received booster shots.