Controversy Over Denial of Entry Ban from China... 15 Countries Restrict Entry from Korea

Korean Medical Association "Entry Ban Needed for Arrivals from China"
Government "Entry Ban on Chinese Nationals Practically Impossible"
Currently 15 Countries Restricting Entry from Korea

On the 22nd, a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was transferred to the negative pressure ward at Kangwon National University Hospital in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads, the Korean Medical Association has called for a ban on entry of travelers from China, sparking ongoing debates. The government has effectively ruled out such a measure.

However, the so-called 'entry restrictions from Korea' to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are increasing, drawing criticism. Despite growing concerns about COVID-19 infection, there are claims that Korea is too lenient in allowing foreign entries compared to other countries. Currently, 15 countries have banned entry from Korea.

Jung Sye-kyun, Prime Minister and head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, held a press briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the 24th and said, "Regarding public opinion for a complete ban on Chinese nationals entering, we have taken effective measures that have reduced Chinese entries by about 80%," adding, "We are not considering additional measures." He further stated, "Considering that our citizens need to travel to China, a ban on Chinese entries is practically impossible."

On the other hand, Choi Dae-jip, president of the Korean Medical Association, held an emergency press conference at the Yongsan temporary office on the same day, urging, "Please ban the entry of travelers from China."

President Choi criticized, "The Korean Medical Association has strongly recommended six times since January 26, a month ago, that entry of travelers from China be banned to block the source of infection, but the government has not accepted this."

Meanwhile, a Blue House petition titled 'Request to Ban Entry of Chinese Nationals' had gathered 761,833 signatures as of 1 p.m. on the 25th. The petitioner appealed, "The coronavirus originating from China is spreading," and requested "a temporary ban on entry of Chinese nationals."

On the 20th, a suspected COVID-19 symptomatic patient arrived at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, by an ambulance from the Jongno-gu Public Health Center and is being transported in a wheelchair along with medical staff.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Given this situation, criticism continues. A man in his mid-30s, A, who said he follows COVID-19 related news daily, expressed frustration, saying, "Other countries are practically rejecting all entries from Korea, so I don't understand why our country allows it."

Another office worker in his 40s, B, also lamented, "I hope we respond similarly by strengthening entry procedures against COVID-19 as other countries do." He added, "I hope no more confirmed cases emerge."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same day, six countries have banned entry from Korea as a COVID-19 response measure: Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Kiribati, Samoa, and American Samoa.

Nine countries have strengthened entry procedures such as quarantine or health monitoring for arrivals from Korea: Brunei, the United Kingdom, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Macau, Oman, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Qatar.

These countries either ban entry of foreigners who have visited Korea within the 14-day incubation period of COVID-19 or require them to stay in a COVID-19-free country for 14 days and undergo health checks before entry.

The government of Mauritius, an island nation in Africa, has also decided to ban entry of Koreans related to COVID-19. On the 24th local time, the Mauritius government notified the Korean Embassy in Madagascar that it would ban entry of all foreigners who departed from Korea or stayed in Korea within the past 14 days.

Accordingly, 34 Korean tourists, including a newlywed couple who were quarantined after showing mild cold symptoms upon arrival in Mauritius on the afternoon of the 23rd, are scheduled to return home.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 9 a.m. today (the 25th), 60 new confirmed cases were identified compared to 4 p.m. on the 24th. The new confirmed cases are distributed as follows: Seoul 2, Busan 3, Daegu 13, Gyeonggi 5, North Gyeongsang 33, South Gyeongsang 1.

Thus, the total number of confirmed cases in Korea is now 893, with 8 deaths and 13,273 patients under examination.

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