National Affairs

The government made all-out efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent its further spread at the national level. This page contains all government policies and actions toward this end, the latest news and updated information on the situation.



Mask mandate to be fully lifted from next month

Mask mandate to be fully lifted from next month

Starting from early August, the government will begin the second phase of its risk management roadmap for COVID-19. The photo shows the departure area of Terminal 1 at In...

Jul 24,2023

COVID-19 era ends with lifting of mandatory isolation rule

COVID-19 era ends with lifting of mandatory isolation rule

Students on the morning of June 1 at Chipyung Elementary School in Gwangju's Seo-gu District leave for a field trip on the same day that the government lowered the COVID-...

Jun 01,2023

President Yoon declares end to COVID-19, return to daily life

President Yoon declares end to COVID-19, return to daily life

President Yoon Suk Yeol on May 11 speaks at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Office of the President in Seoul's Yongsan-gu...

May 11,2023

🎧 Gov't this year to keep COVID-19 vaccinations free for public

🎧 Gov't this year to keep COVID-19 vaccinations free for public

A senior citizen in November last year at a Seoul hospital receives information on getting a COVID-19 vaccination for winter. (Yonhap)  By Cao Thi Ha    Gov't thi...

Mar 22,2023

🎧 Mask rule for public transit, pharmacies to be eased from March 20

🎧 Mask rule for public transit, pharmacies to be eased from March 20

The national rule requiring mask wearing on modes of public transportation including buses and subways and at pharmacies in large open facilities like hypermarkets or tra...

Mar 15,2023

🎧 Daily number of COVID-19 infections declines for 10 straight weeks

🎧 Daily number of COVID-19 infections declines for 10 straight weeks

The government on March 8 said the daily number of COVID-19 infections nationwide declined for the 10th straight week. Shown is a quiet screening space at Gwanak-gu Commu...

Mar 08,2023

🎧 PCR test for passengers arriving from China to be lifted on March 1

🎧 PCR test for passengers arriving from China to be lifted on March 1

From March 1, the mandatory PCR test on arrival for incoming travelers from China will be lifted. Shown is a group of passengers waiting for the boarding process to depar...

Feb 22,2023

🎧 Short-term visa ban on travelers from China to end on Feb. 11

🎧 Short-term visa ban on travelers from China to end on Feb. 11

The ban on short-term visas for travelers from China to Korea will be lifted on Feb. 11. (Yonhap News)   Short-term visa ban on travelers from China to end on Feb. 11 ...

Feb 10,2023

🎧 End of indoor mask rule takes effect nationwide on Jan. 30

🎧 End of indoor mask rule takes effect nationwide on Jan. 30

The national indoor mask mandate on Jan. 30 was lifted nationwide 27 months after its adoption. Shown is a gym in Yullyang-dong neighborhood of Cheongwon-gu District in C...

Jan 30,2023

🎧 Indoor mask-wearing rule to be eased from Jan. 30

🎧 Indoor mask-wearing rule to be eased from Jan. 30

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Jan. 20 chairs a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Government Complex-Seoul in the capital. (Offic...

Jan 20,2023