UK Flights Suspended Until Next Month 7... PCR Negative Certificate Required Even for Transit (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disease Control Headquarters Briefing
Quarantine Exemption Certificate Issuance Limited Until Next Month 17

A COVID-19 entry restriction notice is displayed at the departure hall of Incheon Airport.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] To prevent the new variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading in the UK from entering the country, the government has decided to extend the suspension of flights originating from the UK by one week until January 7 next year. For entrants from South Africa, where the variant has also been confirmed, both foreigners and nationals, including those transiting, are required to submit a negative PCR test certificate.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, announced these strengthened quarantine measures during a briefing on the 28th. Previously, quarantine measures for arrivals from the two countries had been strengthened by lowering the fever threshold to 37.3℃ and conducting additional diagnostic tests before lifting quarantine. Flights from the UK were initially suspended until the 31st, but the suspension will be extended for one week, with further review of whether to continue the suspension based on future developments.

Additionally, the issuance of new visas, except for diplomatic, official, or humanitarian reasons, will be suspended. For arrivals from the UK, the issuance of quarantine exemption certificates had been restricted from the 23rd until the 31st, and this restriction has now been extended until the 17th of next month. The restriction on issuing quarantine exemption certificates also applies to entrants from South Africa.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)

Considering that the UK COVID-19 variant has been detected in countries other than the UK, additional diagnostic tests will be conducted before lifting quarantine for all incoming travelers from abroad. Unlike PCR tests, whole genome sequencing, which takes longer, has been conducted as a sample survey for confirmed cases after entry by major countries, but for arrivals from the UK and South Africa, it will be conducted for all cases.

Head Jung stated, "All overseas entrants undergo quarantine and testing at the airport stage and go through 14 days of self- or facility quarantine, with testing conducted within three days after entry," adding, "Unlike Europe, our country is implementing basic measures to block the introduction of the virus into the community for all overseas entrants."

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