"New Coronavirus, 40% Cases Outside Hubei"…Government Considers 'Total Entry Ban' Card

Rapid Spread Raises Pandemic Concerns
Calls Grow for Expanded Entry Ban Measures
Government Announces Plan for Proactive Mid- to Long-Term Response

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The South Korean government, which had been cautious about imposing a foreigner entry ban to prevent the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), has shifted to a 'limited entry ban' measure, but voices calling for further expansion and strengthening of this measure are growing louder.

Despite warnings to avoid excessive fear, the spread speed of the novel coronavirus is heading toward a situation where the possibility of a pandemic cannot be ruled out. On the 3rd, the National Health Commission of China announced that as of midnight, the cumulative confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in 31 provinces nationwide reached 17,205, with 361 deaths. With 57 deaths in one day, the death toll has surpassed that of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003.

◆Is South Korea also stepping into a ‘full entry ban’ phase?= On the 2nd, the South Korean government completely banned the entry of all foreigners who have visited, stayed in, or traveled to Hubei Province, the origin of the novel coronavirus, starting from midnight on the 4th. This is a de facto 'limited entry ban' targeting only foreigners departing from high-risk areas. Jeju Island temporarily suspended its 'visa-free entry system.'

Although the government, which had maintained a cautious stance, shifted its position and took out the 'limited entry ban' card, voices are rising that such limited measures are insufficient amid the surge of confirmed novel coronavirus cases within China. A Blue House petition calling for a ban on Chinese entries gained over 660,000 supporters in 12 days, while the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, the Korean Society for Healthcare-associated Infection Control and Prevention, and the Korean Society of Antimicrobial Therapy stated in their recommendations that "cases of novel coronavirus occurring outside Hubei Province account for 40%, making restrictions only on Hubei Province insufficient."

Accordingly, the government has hinted at the possibility of gradually strengthening entry ban measures. Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare and head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, mentioned at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office the previous day that the limited entry ban is a "short-term measure," suggesting that additional entry bans may be implemented depending on changes in the situation within China. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also stated, "We will maintain the current alert level but will exert full efforts as if at the highest 'serious' level," adding, "We will proactively prepare mid- to long-term response plans to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

◆Political circles urge ‘full entry ban’= The opposition parties, riding the wave of public opinion, urged the government to implement a full entry ban. Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, said at a meeting that "the government's response was far too late and still inadequate," and insisted that the entry ban on foreigners should be expanded to the entire territory of China. Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, said, "Since the third and fourth transmissions have already occurred and spread throughout China, a ban only on entries from Hubei Province is insufficient," and requested, "As announced by the Medical Association, entry bans should be imposed on six regions with high infection risks."

Yoo Seung-min, a member of the New Conservative Party, called for the government's preemptive response to the large number of Chinese students expected to enter in March for the new semester. He suggested that the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, should quickly come up with fundamental measures, proposing ▲delaying the start of all universities nationwide to April or ▲canceling the spring semester while utilizing cyber lectures. On the other hand, the ruling party evaluated the government's response as appropriate and urged the opposition to cooperate in amending related laws. Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized, "The February National Assembly should focus on parliamentary-level responses to the novel coronavirus and on passing public safety laws such as quarantine, livestock laws, and the special fine dust law to enhance infectious disease response capabilities."

Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Yoo Eun-hye is talking with Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki ahead of the expanded meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

◆The world locking doors to China... Kang Kyung-wha dismisses concerns over friction in Korea-China relations= In response to fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus, countries worldwide are intensifying their measures. The United States, after banning entry of all foreigners who have visited China, raised the entry threshold for all passengers. On the 2nd (local time), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorized airport authorities to verify whether all passengers boarding flights to the U.S. have visited China and, if necessary, to inspect passports. U.S. citizens who have visited China are also required to enter only through seven designated airports within the U.S.

Countries that have closed their doors to foreigners, including Chinese nationals, are increasing. Countries with relatively weak internal quarantine systems or sharing borders with China are closing borders one after another. Mongolia, Nepal, Vietnam, and Russia, which border China, have closed their borders, and Papua New Guinea, an island nation in northern Australia, has completely banned entry of Asian travelers. Singapore recently prohibited foreigners who have visited mainland China within the past 14 days from entering or transiting.

Meanwhile, the government dismissed concerns about the adverse impact of the 'limited entry ban' on Korea-China relations. Before South Korea's decision to restrict entry from Chinese high-risk areas, Shin Ha-kyung, the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, expressed hope that "a scientific decision in line with WHO regulations" would be made. At a briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters the previous day, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha responded to a question about concerns that the measure might lead to diplomatic friction between Korea and China by saying, "Communication is going very well, including the repatriation of residents from Wuhan," and added, "It seems somewhat inaccurate to say there is diplomatic friction."

Minister Kang further stated, "China is responding to this emergency situation, and we are also responding domestically, and communication between us is very good," adding, "We are explaining and notifying frequently, and it is not true that there is any friction at this time."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.