Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Dispatch 3 Teams, 12 Members Rapid Response Team to Vietnam for Support of Quarantined Koreans

Vietnam, Philippines, and Other Countries Ease Entry Restrictions... 94 Countries with Entry Limits
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Full Response... 'COVID-19' Diplomatic Front Shows Back-and-Forth Pattern

On the 28th, in front of the boarding gate for Korean Air flight KE017 from Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 to Los Angeles (LA), Korean Air staff were checking passengers for fever. Starting with flight KE017, Korean Air will mandate fever checks for all flights departing from Incheon Airport to North America and will conduct additional in-flight disinfection. These measures will also be gradually expanded to other routes. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues consultations at various levels to ease excessive measures against Koreans in countries with entry restrictions, it has been confirmed that some regions in China, as well as countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, have relaxed their entry restrictions. Additionally, the Ministry plans to dispatch a joint rapid response team composed of 3 teams and 12 members from related ministries to support Koreans quarantined in Vietnam.

On the 4th, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a private briefing, “The diplomatic front related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is showing a pattern of advances and retreats,” and explained that as a result of continuous consultations with various countries, previously implemented measures are being eased. As of 2 p.m. that day, a total of 94 countries and regions had taken measures against arrivals from Korea.

The senior official explained, “In China, cities such as Shanghai, Xi’an, and Shenyang have switched to self-quarantine in hotels, and Guangdong Province, which had required self-payment for quarantine costs, has negotiated with the Chinese government to have these costs covered,” adding, “We also negotiated with the Vietnamese government, which had been placing passengers arriving from Korea under facility quarantine, to allow some to self-quarantine.”

The Philippines had banned its citizens from traveling to Korea but decided to allow travel except for Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. India confirmed that it will continue issuing new visas and cooperate to allow normal visa issuance for business and other purposes.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to dispatch a joint rapid response team composed of 3 teams to provide consular assistance to Koreans quarantined in Vietnam. The 12-member rapid response team, divided into 3 teams, will be deployed to the Vietnamese Embassy, the Ho Chi Minh City Consulate General, and the Da Nang Consulate General once the remaining negotiation procedures with the Vietnamese government are completed.

The senior official said, “There are about 1,100 Koreans quarantined worldwide, with approximately 270 in Vietnam,” and added, “Since some wish to return to Korea, consular assistance will be provided.” Currently, it is known that 142 people are under facility quarantine in the Vietnamese Embassy area, 112 in the Ho Chi Minh City Consulate General area, and 22 in the Da Nang Consulate General area.

The official also emphasized that the temporary suspension of some international flight routes is due to a sharp decline in passenger demand. He explained, “In the case of the Czech Republic, flights were suspended by government decision; flights will operate until the 6th and then be temporarily suspended,” adding, “Other European routes are being suspended due to airlines’ own measures in response to the sharp drop in demand, and it is expected that services will resume once the situation improves.”

Regarding the increase in countries imposing entry restrictions, he said, “As COVID-19 spreads internationally, countries in Latin America, Africa, and other regions with concerns about their quarantine capabilities and medical systems are implementing strong measures,” and added, “Some African countries are even banning diplomats from entry.”

Regarding the implementation of the infection-free certification system to support the entry of businesspeople, the official explained, “The basic principle is that businesspeople should be able to move back and forth for mutual economic benefits between the two countries,” and added, “We are conducting consultations with relevant countries on various measures.”

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