All Russian Ships Entering Busan Subject to Boarding Quarantine Starting Today (Update)

If Symptomatic Persons Do Not Report, Entry Restrictions and Fines May Be Imposed
Expansion of Onboard Quarantine for Ships from Other Countries Is Cautious Due to Risks and Skill Requirements
Quarantine Release Criteria Relaxed... Release Possible if Either Clinical Progress or Testing Criteria Is Met

On the 23rd, health center officials from Seo-gu are conducting disinfection near the Russian-flagged refrigerated cargo ship A, which is docked at Gamcheon Port in Busan.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided to conduct onboard quarantine inspections for all Russian vessels entering Busan Port. If crew members with symptoms fail to report, entry restrictions and fines will be imposed. This measure comes in response to a large-scale outbreak of COVID-19 cases on Russian ships recently.

At a meeting on the 24th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters received a report from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on strengthened port quarantine management measures. Previously, the former captain of the fishing product transport vessel Ice Stream, which entered Gamcheon Port in Busan, contracted COVID-19 after disembarking at the previous port of call in Russia. Subsequently, after the vessel entered Korea, diagnostic tests on the crew revealed that 16 out of 21 tested positive. Additionally, one confirmed case was found on the nearby docked vessel Ice Crystal.

This incident largely arose from insufficient inspection at frontline quarantine sites. Currently, onboard quarantine applies only to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, and Iran. For vessels arriving from non-quarantine management areas like Russia, electronic quarantine is conducted, and onboard quarantine is performed only if there are symptomatic persons or other special circumstances. Furthermore, inadequate information sharing between countries and unauthorized disembarkation or transfer to other vessels after entry increased contacts.

To prevent such incidents, direct onboard quarantine inspections will be conducted for Russian vessels starting today, with quarantine authorities boarding the ships to inspect. Shipping companies are also required to report to quarantine authorities any crew members who have disembarked within 14 days prior to arrival. If symptomatic persons fail to report, entry will be restricted and fines of up to 5 million KRW will be imposed. These measures are based on the Ship Entry and Exit Act and the Quarantine Act. The government also stated that it plans to consider claiming compensation from shipping companies if confirmed cases cause social costs.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing, "We will subdivide living quarantine rules according to outdoor work, enclosed spaces, and fish hold areas at cargo handling sites, and establish guidelines to minimize contact with crew members in places where social distancing or mask-wearing is difficult, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of quarantine measures."

However, regarding onboard quarantine, which is more demanding than airport quarantine, the government expressed caution about immediately expanding it beyond Russia to other countries. Kim explained, "(Onboard quarantine) involves high risk and requires skill," adding, "Since there are limitations in rapidly increasing onboard quarantine capabilities, decisions must consider both feasibility and risks."

Meanwhile, the government has decided to relax quarantine release criteria to prevent unnecessary prolonged hospitalization of COVID-19 patients. Kim said, "From now on, if no clinical symptoms occur during 10 days after confirmation, quarantine release will be possible," and added, "For symptomatic persons, starting from 0:00 on the 25th, guidelines will change to allow quarantine release if either the clinical progress criteria or testing criteria is met, such as clinical symptoms improving without antipyretics for 72 hours after 10 days from onset."

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