103 Countries Restrict Entry from Korea... Saudi Arabia Also Changes Stance to Ban Entry from Han

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Despite the South Korean government's persuasion efforts, 103 countries and regions worldwide are restricting entry from South Korea as part of their measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of 6 p.m. on the 8th, a total of 103 countries and regions have either banned foreign nationals from entering from South Korea or strengthened entry procedures such as quarantine, unchanged from the previous day.

By measure, 43 places have imposed entry bans, either completely blocking entry or allowing entry only after a certain period has passed since leaving South Korea.

Saudi Arabia announced on this day that it would ban all foreign nationals who have visited or transited through South Korea, Japan, Italy, or Azerbaijan within 14 days prior to entry.

Initially, Saudi Arabia included South Korea in the entry ban list but, following government persuasion, decided to allow entry for holders of visas other than tourist visas, such as employment, business, commercial, and family visit visas, but has now reversed to block entry again.

In 15 places including China, entrants are subject to quarantine for a certain period. With the addition of Henan Province, the number of local governments quarantining entrants from South Korea has increased to 19. Additionally, the remaining 45 places have strengthened quarantine measures at a level lower than mandatory quarantine, such as suspending the issuance of arrival visas, self-quarantine, and fever checks.

As of this day, a total of 1,560 nationals are quarantined in various countries worldwide, and 2,640 have been released from quarantine so far. Among them, 1,080 are quarantined in China and 430 in Vietnam.

Specific measures taken by countries worldwide regarding entrants from South Korea can be checked on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Travel website (www.0404.go.kr/dev/newest_list.mofa).

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