From the 22nd, All Arrivals from Europe Must Undergo COVID-19 Testing... What Has Changed?

On the 19th, when the government expanded the special entry procedures to all incoming travelers worldwide to prevent the influx of COVID-19, passengers arriving on a passenger flight from Frankfurt, Germany, at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport underwent the special entry procedures. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surges across European countries, our government has decided to conduct COVID-19 diagnostic tests on all domestic and foreign nationals entering from Europe. Upon arrival at the airport, individuals will be assessed for symptoms and placed in different quarantine facilities before undergoing testing. Even if the test result is negative, domestic nationals and long-term foreign residents must self-quarantine for two weeks.

On the 20th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced enhanced quarantine measures for arrivals from Europe reflecting these details. According to the plan, starting from 0:00 on the 22nd, all domestic and foreign nationals entering Korea from Europe will undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Previously, quarantine authorities expanded special entry procedures for arrivals from all European regions starting on the 19th, but as confirmed cases and deaths continued to rise and more cases were diagnosed during domestic quarantine, the measures were strengthened.

Upon arrival from Europe, health questionnaires and fever checks will be conducted to separate symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Symptomatic individuals will be placed in quarantine facilities within the airport quarantine station, while asymptomatic individuals will stay in designated temporary living facilities to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Since the testing process, including specimen collection, takes more than half a day, individuals are required to stay in separate facilities. Although the exact locations have not been disclosed, they are expected to be public facilities near airports or ports.

If the test result is positive, the individual will be hospitalized or admitted for treatment. Depending on severity, severe cases will be treated in negative pressure isolation rooms, while mild cases will receive care at living treatment centers. Even if the test result is negative, domestic nationals and long-term foreign residents with a fixed residence in Korea are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. This measure accounts for the possibility of initial negative results turning positive later. Short-term foreign residents without a fixed residence in Korea will be subject to active monitoring during their stay. This means their symptoms will be monitored through self-diagnosis applications or local health centers during their time in the country.

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