Confirmed Positive After Quarantine Release Following Entry via Third Country Through UK... There Are 'Gaps'

Variant Virus Confirmed Domestically
Spreads More Easily Around
Children Also Easily Infected, Authorities on High Alert
Strengthened Quarantine for UK Arrivals
Only Departure Country Can Be Verified, Creating Loopholes

On the 27th, citizens are getting tested at a drive-through temporary screening clinic for COVID-19 set up at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The new variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originating from the UK has been confirmed to have entered South Korea, raising alarms among health authorities. This comes as the domestic outbreak is in full swing, with daily new cases reaching 1,000, and the variant virus is reported to have higher transmissibility compared to previous strains.

Authorities believe the possibility of the variant virus spreading domestically is low, as they have thoroughly managed all overseas arrivals, including quarantine procedures. However, concerns remain about potential 'gaps' since some cases have been confirmed after the quarantine period or through entry via third countries after traveling through the UK.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 28th, nine people (including one foreigner) who arrived from the UK in the past week tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, a Korean family who lived in London tested positive, and whole genome sequencing of their samples confirmed the presence of the variant virus.

Whole genome sequencing technology analyzes the entire genetic code of the virus to determine mutations, unlike the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that only detects infection. Although this test usually takes about two weeks, authorities expedited the process due to the urgency of the situation.

On the 23rd, electronic declaration notices for routes including London were posted at the departure hall of Incheon Airport. On the same day, the government decided to temporarily suspend flights to and from the UK until the end of the year to prevent the domestic spread of the COVID-19 variant virus currently prevalent in the UK. Korean Air will suspend flights arriving from London, but flights departing from Incheon to London will continue to operate three times a week as before. Asiana Airlines will suspend its once-weekly round-trip Incheon-London route, which operated every Friday, until the end of this month.

First Domestic Variant Case Entered Just Before UK Flight Ban
Cases Confirmed After Quarantine Release Make 100% Blocking Difficult

The variant virus, first detected in southeastern UK in September, is reported to spread more easily and infect children, who were previously less susceptible. After confirming virus information reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), authorities strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from the UK.

However, many people had already entered the country before the flight ban on the 23rd, and some tested positive after completing their quarantine period, making it difficult to completely rule out community transmission. Besides the family with the confirmed variant virus, a family of four residing in Gyeonggi Province who arrived on the 8th and 13th also tested positive. One member who arrived earlier was confirmed positive after their initial two-week self-quarantine had ended. Whole genome sequencing is also being conducted on these family members.

Amid concerns over the rapidly spreading COVID-19 variant in the UK, more than 40 countries worldwide have imposed entry restrictions on travelers from the UK. On the 21st (local time), a notice of the closure of Terminal 3 was posted at Heathrow Airport in West London.

Another issue is that during quarantine upon entry, only the country of departure can be verified. According to health authorities, unless travelers disclose it themselves, it is currently impossible to determine whether they have visited other countries besides their last departure point. Since the variant virus has been confirmed not only in European countries near the UK but also in North America, Japan, Singapore, and other parts of Asia, there is a significant possibility of infection in other countries as well.

There are calls to strengthen quarantine measures, such as completely blocking overseas entries like Japan or requiring a negative PCR test certificate. However, for now, authorities are responding with existing measures including diagnostic testing upon entry, a two-week quarantine, and diagnostic testing before quarantine release.

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