Authorities “re-infectious stabilization period… Comprehensive review of quarantine policy while watching the situation”
The quarantine authorities announced on the 20th that they would consider further lifting or easing the quarantine policy, including the obligation to require all overseas entrants to undergo a COVID-19 gene amplification (PCR) test within one day following entering Korea.
In a regular briefing on the same day, Lim Sook-young, head of the situation at the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters (Bangdaebon), said, “As the current epidemic is moving to a stable stage, additional parts (adjustments) are made while comprehensively considering overseas trends and expert opinions regarding various quarantine policies. We are preparing,” he said.
Director Lim said, citing that the diagnostic test obligations for overseas travelers differ from country to country, “In Korea, PCR testing is being conducted on the first day following entry, and we plan to further monitor the quarantine status and review overseas cases and expert opinions comprehensively.”
According to the report, among the OECD countries, 10 countries, including Korea, are implementing measures such as diagnostic tests and entry restrictions for overseas entrants.
The United States and Canada restrict entry to unvaccinated persons.
In Japan, Spain, Chile, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Colombia, screening is compulsory for unvaccinated persons before entering the country.
New Zealand conducts expedited antigen testing for all inbound travelers following entry.
From June 8, South Korea lifted the quarantine obligation for all inbound travelers, including those who were not vaccinated, and from the 3rd, it also eliminated pre-entry inspections for all inbound travelers.
As a minimum measure to block the influx of mutations, the obligation to undergo PCR testing within 1 day following entry remains.
However, there are also pointed out that there are many people who have not been inspected following entering the country, and the practical measures and management are difficult, so the effectiveness is low.
If the PCR test duty within one day following entry is abolished, all restrictions on overseas arrivals will be eliminated.
/yunhap news
