Entry Bans and Restrictions on Travelers from Korea in 76 Countries... Approaching 40% of UN Member States (Comprehensive)

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the 29th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea exceeded 3,000, the number of countries banning or restricting entry of travelers from Korea is also increasing.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others, as of 6 p.m. on the same day, a total of 76 countries have taken measures regarding the entry of travelers from Korea. This is an increase of 11 countries from 65 the previous night. This number accounts for about 40% of the United Nations member states (193 countries).

The number of countries that have imposed full or partial entry bans on entrants from Korea increased by 3 from 31 the previous day to 34. The Cook Islands, a New Zealand territory in the South Pacific, recently banned entry of foreigners who have visited Korea, China, Japan, etc. within the last 14 days. Kyrgyzstan will ban entry of foreigners coming from or transiting through countries with a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, such as China, Korea, Japan, and Italy, starting from the 1st of next month. Lebanon banned entry of travelers who visited COVID-19 outbreak areas including Korea the day before.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia banned entry of foreigners who visited Korea within 14 days prior to entry. However, entry is allowed if the person holds a Saudi visa or residence permit. Japan and Singapore ban entry of foreigners who visited Daegu and Cheongdo regions within the last 14 days, while Hong Kong and Mongolia ban entry of travelers from Korea.

Vietnam suspended entry of foreigners who entered or transited through Daegu and Gyeongbuk within the last 14 days as of the 25th of this month. The 15-day visa-free entry policy for Koreans was also temporarily suspended. Vietnamese authorities temporarily prohibited Korean passenger flights from landing at Hanoi Airport on the morning of the same day. Instead of Hanoi Noi Bai Airport, travelers must use Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh Province, about a three-hour drive from Hanoi.

The number of countries strengthening entry procedures such as quarantine or isolation increased by 8 from 34 the previous day to 42. European countries such as Latvia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Azerbaijan have strengthened entry procedures. Paraguay conducts health authority interviews before entry screening for foreigners (including nationals) arriving from Korea, China, Japan, Italy, etc. Through the interview, entrants from Daegu and Gyeongbuk or those showing symptoms are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Uzbekistan will also quarantine entrants who visited Korea for 14 days at a designated location starting from the 1st of next month.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China has strengthened entry procedures for Korean nationals in Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, and other provinces. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory recommending reconsideration or postponement of travel plans to countries imposing entry restrictions on Korean nationals.

Meanwhile, as of 4 p.m. on the same day, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea is 3,150. It has surpassed 3,000 just 40 days after the first patient was reported on the 20th of last month and only one day after exceeding 2,000 cases the previous day.

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