Easing Entry Restrictions, Number of Countries Banning Entry from Korea Reduced to 88... Rapid Entry Lane System Introduced One After Another

China, UAE, Indonesia, Singapore, and others implement fast-track system... Expanded to ASEAN
Chinese government also allows direct flights to Beijing
23 countries lifted entry restrictions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Although the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues to remain in the triple digits daily due to the resurgence originating from churches in the Seoul metropolitan area, countries that agree on ensuring logistics and human movement through intergovernmental negotiations are steadily easing entry restrictions on arrivals from Korea.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 5th, the number of countries imposing entry bans on travelers from Korea is counted at 88. The number of countries with entry bans, which reached 153 in May, has significantly decreased after four months. The number of countries implementing facility quarantine, including the United States, is confirmed to be six.

On the other hand, the number of countries taking the lowest level of measures such as strengthened quarantine and recommendations has increased to 71. This is the result of countries that had imposed entry bans easing the entry barriers for arrivals from Korea.

The number of countries that have lifted entry-related measures for arrivals from Korea is also counted at 23. Although there are differences in details by country, Kyrgyzstan lifted entry-related measures on the 20th of last month, and countries such as Romania, Uzbekistan, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic are also included.

The fast-track system, which simplifies the entry procedures for essential personnel such as businesspeople promoted by the Korean government, is expanding to ASEAN following China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Last month, Indonesia introduced and implemented the fast-track system with the Korean government, and from the 4th, Singapore began implementing the fast-track system for essential personnel such as government officials and businesspeople.

In the case of Singapore, under the fast-track system, businesspeople can depart with a health status certificate including a negative COVID-19 test result and a Safe Travel Pass issued by the Singapore government. After arriving in Singapore, they undergo an additional COVID-19 test, and if confirmed negative, they can carry out business activities without quarantine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to continue negotiations with ASEAN countries to open additional fast-track lanes jointly with related ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

China, which first introduced the fast-track system, recently allowed Hyundai Motor Group employees and their families to enter through the Beijing air route. Although China did not allow direct flights to Beijing even after introducing the fast-track system in May, it has further eased entry barriers this time. With the approval of the Chinese government, Hyundai Motor Group deployed three charter flights over two days on the 3rd and 4th, sending 600 Hyundai Motor employees and their families, as well as partner company employees, to Beijing Capital International Airport.

Additionally, a charter flight for Korean residents will be deployed to Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. According to the Korean Embassy in China, after consultations with the Hebei provincial government, a charter flight from Incheon to Shijiazhuang will operate on the 10th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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