114 Countries with Entry Restrictions, 66 Countries Ban or Quarantine Entry... "Entry Allowed for Korean Businesspeople in 1-2 Countries"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The number of countries imposing entry bans and facility quarantine measures on travelers arriving from Korea has surpassed 60. The number of countries implementing stringent entry restrictions now exceeds half of those enforcing any entry restrictions. Moreover, concerns are growing as some countries are raising their entry barriers despite the Korean government's full-scale response.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of 9 a.m. on the 11th, 66 out of 114 countries have implemented stringent entry restrictions on travelers from Korea, significantly exceeding half. These measures target high-risk countries where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are increasing, with five new countries added overnight.

In particular, the number of countries imposing entry bans on travelers from Korea has risen to 49. Among them, 43 countries have banned entry from all regions of Korea, while six countries have imposed entry bans on travelers from specific regions. Seventeen countries have implemented quarantine measures such as facility isolation. Notably, 21 regions within China have been confirmed to uniformly quarantine travelers arriving from Korea. This means that most major regions in China are applying quarantine measures equivalent to entry bans.

Furthermore, despite comprehensive efforts through diplomatic channels, some countries are intensifying their entry restrictions. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and Japan have exacerbated confusion by strengthening existing entry bans. Saudi Arabia initially allowed limited entry for holders of employment, business, commercial, and family visit visas through negotiations with the Korean government but imposed a full ban starting from the 8th. Japan significantly tightened measures including entry bans, visa restrictions, enhanced quarantine, and limitations on air and sea travel without prior notice, further deteriorating Korea-Japan relations.

As countries worldwide implement stringent entry restrictions to prevent COVID-19, the Korean government is focusing diplomatic efforts on countries enforcing entry bans or quarantine measures. Above all, to mitigate the economic shock expected after the COVID-19 spread subsides, the government deems it necessary to allow exceptions for business travelers and is conducting focused negotiations with the relevant countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is discussing with about 20 countries that have active exchanges with Korea, including China and Vietnam, the possibility of allowing business travelers to enter if they carry health status certificates. Indonesia, India, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, and Uzbekistan are also reportedly included in this group.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "There have been reports of difficulties due to the 14-day quarantine guideline for those who need to travel abroad for business activities," adding, "Specific difficulties have been reported from countries such as Turkey, China, and Vietnam." The Ministry is actively conveying to the counterpart countries through local diplomatic missions that while respecting quarantine measures, the disruption of business activities would cause greater harm to both countries.

Some countries are known to have allowed exceptions. A senior official from the Ministry said, "Although only one or two countries have recognized exceptions so far, we will work to expand this," adding that President Moon Jae-in previously instructed at a senior secretaries' meeting to "negotiate through diplomatic channels to allow exceptions for business travelers from countries with entry bans."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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