'Locking Down the Global Village' 130 Countries Restrict Entry from Korea... Australia Extends Entry Ban for One Week

61 Countries with Entry Bans, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Uzbekistan Strengthen 'Entry Ban'
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Makes Every Effort to Ease Measures through Diplomatic Channels... Vietnam Allows Exceptional Entry for Businesspeople

As the Malaysian government banned the entry of Korean nationals and foreign travelers from Korea starting at midnight on the 13th (local time) to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Malaysia Airlines counter at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport showed a quiet scene on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The number of countries restricting entry from South Korea has increased to 130. As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are being reported worldwide, many countries are raising their border controls against countries with outbreaks, despite the South Korean government's full diplomatic efforts.

Due to persistent negotiations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam has exceptionally allowed limited entry for Korean businesspeople. However, Australia extended its entry ban period until the 19th, and Uzbekistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also strengthened their existing measures.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th, as of 10 a.m. that day, the number of countries restricting entry from South Korea was counted at 130, an increase of three countries from 127 as of 7 p.m. the previous day. Ukraine, Eritrea, and Brazil were newly added to the list of countries restricting entry.

The number of countries imposing entry bans reached 61. Among them, 55 countries have imposed entry bans on all regions of South Korea, and 6 countries have imposed entry bans on certain regions. Major countries imposing full entry bans include Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, while countries imposing entry bans on certain regions include Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.

Australia extended the entry ban, which had been in effect since the 5th. Australia, which informed South Korea that it would decide on extending the measure on a weekly basis, notified that the ban would be extended until the 19th. It is reported that no conclusion has been reached regarding the exception for businesspeople, which has been under continuous discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "Australia has also started imposing entry bans on Italy," adding, "We are continuously negotiating, but they have extended the measures against South Korea this time."

Bosnia and Herzegovina blocked entry of foreigners who have visited South Korea, Italy, Iran, China, Germany, Spain, and others. On the 14th, they significantly strengthened self-quarantine measures. Uzbekistan also upgraded its quarantine measures to an entry ban on the 14th.

The number of countries implementing quarantine measures such as facility quarantine has increased to 18. In China, 22 regions are enforcing quarantine measures. While some regions are easing quarantine through diplomatic persuasion, many local governments are quarantining individuals who have visited South Korea, Japan, Italy, or Iran in designated facilities for 14 days.

Vietnam, which has been quarantining Koreans and restricting landings of flights from South Korea, has allowed entry for some Korean businesspeople. According to the Korean Embassy in Vietnam, 186 Samsung Display engineers holding business visas and government-certified health certificates have departed for Vietnam. They will carry out modification work on the flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) module production line located in Bac Ninh Province in northern Vietnam.

The number of countries implementing the least stringent measures such as enhanced quarantine or advisory notices is 51. As the number of countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases has surged to over 110 worldwide, and the intensity of measures to prevent the influx of infectious diseases has increased, countries currently implementing enhanced quarantine or advisory measures are also likely to strengthen their entry restrictions.

The arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport is quiet on the 6th.
Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

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