"If Only It Weren't for the 2-Week Self-Quarantine, I Want to Travel Abroad" Discussions on Introducing 'Travel Bubble'... Will Entry Restrictions Be Eased?

Travel Bubble, Agreement Between Countries with Excellent Quarantine Measures
14-Day Quarantine Exemption Upon Agreement
Citizens "Want to Travel Abroad... Quarantine Exemption Needed"
Government in Talks with China and Vietnam

Among citizens, there is a growing call for the expansion of self-quarantine exemptions. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] #Office worker Kim Mo (29) expressed regret as he recalled the moment he traveled abroad before the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim said, "I vividly remember the summer I spent in Hawaii last year. I enjoyed my vacation there by experiencing new cultures and eating delicious food, but now, due to COVID-19, traveling abroad is just a dream. Even if I want to go abroad, I have to quarantine for two weeks at the destination and another two weeks after returning home, so it's practically impossible. I hope the restrictions ease so I can take a short trip," he lamented.

The demand for overseas travel has significantly decreased due to the COVID-19 situation. This is because of the complicated entry and exit procedures and the 14-day self-quarantine required after arriving at the destination. As a result, voices among citizens wanting to travel abroad are growing louder, demanding exemptions from self-quarantine. The government is also discussing the introduction of a so-called 'Travel Bubble' that exempts ordinary travelers from self-quarantine when traveling between countries with excellent quarantine measures.

The 'Travel Bubble' is an agreement to form a bubble (safety barrier) between countries believed to have excellent quarantine measures after COVID-19, allowing mutual travel. Once the agreement is signed, travelers entering from abroad can travel without a 2-week self-quarantine.

According to a survey, 6 out of 10 domestic and foreign respondents expressed willingness to travel abroad if a Travel Bubble agreement is established.

On the 20th, Incheon International Airport Corporation conducted a survey from the 22nd to 28th of last month targeting 1,000 people aged 18 and over, including 600 domestic Koreans and 400 foreigners from Vietnam and China. Among them, 52.8% of domestic respondents and 72.2% of foreigners answered that they would be willing to travel abroad if a Travel Bubble is established.

Regarding preferred Travel Bubble countries, domestic respondents favored Southeast Asia (20.3%) the most, followed by Oceania (12%) and Europe (9.3%). Foreign respondents preferred Korea (34.2%), Japan (24.3%), and Southeast Asia (7.9%) in that order.

When asked about travel purposes after the policy is established, domestic respondents most frequently cited enjoying natural scenery and visiting historical sites (52.8%), while foreigners most often mentioned food and gourmet exploration (34.6%). This reflects a desire to relieve mental and physical fatigue caused by COVID-19 through overseas travel.

It has been confirmed that the government is discussing the so-called 'Travel Bubble,' which allows overseas travel without self-quarantine through agreements between countries. Photo by Yonhap News

Consequently, voices among citizens demanding exemption from the 14-day self-quarantine are growing louder. Ordinary travelers for tourism purposes still find it impossible to purchase international flight tickets, and even if entry and exit are possible, they must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine at the destination.

As public interest in the Travel Bubble increases, the government is also discussing related matters.

Moon Jin-seok, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party, recently asked Lim Nam-soo, Acting President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, during a national audit, "Is it possible to establish a Travel Bubble next year?" Lim replied, "I understand the government is giving it serious consideration."

According to the aviation industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 18th, the government currently considers China, Vietnam, and Taiwan as safe countries in terms of quarantine and is negotiating the timing of the Travel Bubble with these countries.

Earlier this month, Korea also began implementing a 'Special Entry Procedure for Businesspeople' that exempts business travelers between Korea and Japan from self-quarantine.

Experts predict that the Travel Bubble will help the recovery of the aviation industry, which has suffered significant damage.

Lim, who was questioned about the Travel Bubble during the national audit, said, "The aviation and airport industries have been severely impacted by COVID-19, and the Travel Bubble is expected to aid in the recovery of air routes. We will make multifaceted efforts with the government and related agencies to restore the aviation industry," he stated.

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