Strict Testing Measures for Arrivals from South Africa... Efforts to Block Entry of Variant Virus

On the 19th, the COVID-19 testing registration desk set up at Groenkloof Hospital in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The quarantine authorities have taken preemptive measures to block the domestic inflow of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant virus currently spreading in the Republic of South Africa. In addition to strengthening testing upon entry, additional tests will be conducted before quarantine release.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) stated at the COVID-19 regular briefing on the 26th, "For entrants from South Africa, in addition to the existing measures of COVID-19 diagnostic testing for symptomatic individuals upon entry and 14 days of facility or self-quarantine, diagnostic testing will also be conducted before quarantine release to prevent the virus from spreading into the community."

Furthermore, the CDCH announced, "For confirmed cases from South Africa, whole genome sequencing will be conducted to verify whether the virus is a variant strain."

Since October, a total of 505 entrants have arrived in Korea from South Africa: 118 in October, 196 in November, and 191 up to the 25th of this month. Among them, 7 people tested positive, including 1 in October and 6 in December. The CDCH said, "No variant virus has been identified in the tests conducted so far," and added, "Samples from confirmed cases originating from South Africa since October are currently under analysis."

Recently, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced that a COVID-19 virus with mutations in the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) was identified in South Africa. Overseas researchers believe this variant virus caused the second wave of COVID-19 in South Africa and may affect infectivity and immune response.

Currently, as the variant COVID-19 virus is also spreading in the United Kingdom, since the 23rd, flights departing from London Heathrow Airport to Incheon International Airport have been suspended. Additionally, diagnostic testing before quarantine release has been made mandatory for all entrants from the UK.

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