Park Neung-hoo: "Mandatory Self-Quarantine for All Entrants, Measures Close to Actual Entry Restrictions" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 29th, the government explained that it did not implement a 'ban on foreign entry' as a response measure to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) because "it is necessary to leave room for our citizens to travel abroad."

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 29th, "There are quite a few of our citizens who must go abroad for essential work."

Head Park explained, "If we go abroad to perform essential tasks and return to the country to carry out such work, the economy can operate and society can be maintained," adding, "From the perspective of public interest and national interest, I think entry restrictions are somewhat more reasonable than a complete ban on entry."

The government decided on a '2-week self-quarantine' policy for all domestic and foreign entrants starting from the 1st of next month. Head Park said, "If all foreign entrants undergo 14 days of self-quarantine, it is practically a measure close to entry restriction for foreigners coming for tourism purposes," and added, "Even without imposing strict entry restrictions, we can achieve substantial effects."

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