[Q&A] "Reviewing Special Entry Procedures for the US and Southeast Asia"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government has decided to implement special entry procedures for all passengers on flights arriving from Europe in response to the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, announced on the 16th, "From 0:00 today, the special entry procedures previously applied to flights from six European countries (including those via Dubai and Moscow) will be expanded to cover all passengers, both Korean and foreign nationals, on all flights arriving from Europe (including those via Dubai and others)."

This measure aims to block the reintroduction of overseas risk factors into the country as much as possible. In fact, quarantine of arrivals from Europe confirmed 1 case on the 13th and 3 cases on the 14th.

Kim, the Chief Coordinator, said, "We are also reviewing the possibility of universally applying special entry procedures to all arrivals," adding, "We plan to comprehensively discuss the effectiveness, necessity, and implementation plans through an inter-agency working-level meeting today."

◇Below is a Q&A with Chief Coordinator Kim regarding the expansion of special entry procedures

- How many people are subject to the special entry procedures per day?

▲ Based on the previous day, about 11,200 people enter daily, with 7,500 Koreans and 3,700 foreigners. Among them, approximately 3,170 people arrived from countries where special entry procedures were previously applied, with Koreans and foreigners each accounting for about half.

- Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to review additional measures related to the expansion of special entry procedures. What is the status?

▲ First, we will primarily review whether to additionally expand special entry procedures to the United States and Southeast Asian countries. We will continue to monitor the international situation and observe which response efforts are effective while reviewing further measures.

- Will additional personnel be needed if the special entry procedures are expanded?

▲ Additional personnel requirements will definitely arise. Through today's working-level meeting, consultations with related ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense, will be conducted regarding the additional personnel needed. Medical personnel directly responsible for quarantine are required, and there will certainly be a demand for administrative staff to support related procedures such as contact information verification. In addition to personnel, further measures are needed to provide multilingual support for the self-health management application (app) currently offered for monitoring after special entry.

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