The 10-day quarantine on arrivals from abroad including Korean nationals has been extended three weeks until Jan. 6 due to the surge of cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Shown here are a group of foreign visitors being guided by quarantine officials at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap News)
By Sarah Oqelee and Kim Hayeon
Stricter quarantine measures for people arriving from overseas will be extended three weeks to Jan. 6 instead of expiring on Dec. 17 amid the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on Dec. 14 said the decision was made in a meeting of a pan-government task force and related ministries to respond to the variant.
Thus Korean nationals and long-term foreign residents arriving from any country until Jan. 6 must undergo 10 days of self-isolation regardless of vaccination status. Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are required -- one before boarding a flight to Korea, another on the first day after entry and the final one before leaving self-isolation. Foreign visitors on short-term stays must stay at temporary quarantine facilities for 10 days and take three PCR tests.
Quarantine exemptions like those for attending funerals or providing public services will also be extended until Jan. 6, but remain valid for countries with "travel bubble" accords with Korea like Singapore and Saipan. Also, measures will be added and reinforced such as boosting requirements to confirm a negative PCR test result.
The ban on foreign travelers seeking short-term stays in Korea from 11 countries like South Africa with tighter restrictions, deemed high risk and not included on Korea's list of quarantine-exempt states from entering the country has also been extended to Jan. 6.
Over this period, both Koreans and long-term foreign residents must quarantine for 10 days at temporary living facilities and undergo four PCR tests -- preflight, first and fifth days after entry, and right before isolation ends.
Those coming from nations with stronger restrictions will face limits when obtaining visas and flight tickets. Those from countries deemed dangerous must quarantine at domestic facilities for 10 days in Korea, and anyone coming from states excluded from Korea's quarantine exempt list must be quarantined regardless of vaccination status. The 11 countries are Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia.
The suspension of direct flights from Ethiopia will remain until Jan. 6. Irregular flights to transport Korean nationals, however, will be organized after consultations with related ministries.
The government had originally boosted its quarantine measures from Dec. 3-16 by requiring those entering Korea to self-isolate for 10 days.
sarahoqelee@korea.kr
