All foreign nationals entering the country from Jan. 8 must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result for COVID-19. The photo shows foreign nationals wearing personal protective gear at Incheon International Airport on Jan. 3 as they wait in line to check in before their flight to Yangon, Myanmar. (Yonhap News)

By Elena Kubitzki and Lee Jihae

All foreign nationals entering the country must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result for COVID-19.

This new requirement will take effect at airports from Jan. 8 and ports from Jan. 15.

The stronger measure is designed to prevent new strains of the coronavirus like that from the U.K. from entering the country.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Jan. 2 told a regular briefing, "As more countries are seeing the spread of mutated coronaviruses, we will expand the pool of people who must submit negative PCR tests results to all foreign nationals entering the country."

The negative test result must be issued within 72 hours before departure to Korea.

Confirming that a person arriving from the U.K. was infected with the mutated coronavirus, the government on Dec. 28 required all arrivals from the U.K. and South Africa (including those stopping over in Korea) to submit negative PCR test results.

elenakubi@korea.kr