The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on April 1 exempted from quarantine fully vaccinated travelers arriving from abroad. Shown here on March 21 is a general bus notice, including for those exempt from self-quarantine, at the departure section of Incheon International Airport's Terminal 1. (Yonhap News)

By Xu Aiying and Kim Hayeon  

Overseas travelers arriving in Korea who are fully vaccinated are now exempt from self-isolation.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters said it abolished on April 1 the seven-day quarantine rule for nationals of all countries. Thus inbound travelers regardless of country of departure no longer need to self-isolate as long as they are fully vaccinated.

A fully vaccinated person refers to someone getting his or her second shot (one in the case of Janssen) 14 days before but within 180 days or who got his or her third shot.

Those vaccinated overseas can visit public health centers in Korea to register their vaccination status or input it online on the Quarantine Information Pre-entry System (https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr) and attach certifications to gain exemption.

Before April 1, fully vaccinated travelers arriving from abroad had to use designated quarantine taxis or personal vehicles when leaving the airport. They can now use public transportation such as the subway, buses and regular cabs.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-Kyeong said, "We plan to monitor the risk level of each country such as an outbreak of a novel 'variant of concern' and flexibly designate and manage countries whose nationals are exempt from quarantine."

xuaiy@korea.kr