"Request to Restrict Entry" Spread of UK-Origin Variant Virus Worldwide... Citizens' 'Anxiety'

UK-Origin Variant Virus Spreads to at Least 33 Countries
Variant Virus Confirmed Domestically, Cases Increasing
Experts "Stronger Measures Needed to Prevent Local Spread of Variant Virus"

As the new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) originating from the UK spreads, triggering emergency responses in countries worldwide, officials are conducting disinfection work at Terminal 1 arrivals hall of Incheon International Airport in Yeongjongdo on the afternoon of the 29th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The new variant of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from the UK, known to be highly contagious, is rapidly spreading worldwide. As this virus has entered South Korea, citizens' anxiety is growing. Experts pointed out that swift investigation and evaluation by the government and quarantine authorities are necessary to prevent the spread of the variant virus.

The UK-origin COVID-19 variant virus has been confirmed to have spread to at least 33 countries. The US daily The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 2nd (local time) that the number of countries where the UK variant virus known as 'B.1.1.7' has been confirmed has increased to 33, and considering unconfirmed cases, the number of infected countries could be even higher.

According to NYT, the countries where the UK variant virus has been officially confirmed so far include the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan.

Earlier, the UK first reported the COVID-19 variant virus case to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 14th of last month. It has been less than a month since the initial report, and the virus is spreading worldwide.

As a result, the number of countries banning or restricting entry from the UK has exceeded 40. In the case of the Philippines, entry is banned not only from the UK but also from a total of 20 countries where variant virus infections have been confirmed.

However, despite various measures, the speed of the variant virus spread appears to be accelerating. On the 2nd, the UK reported 57,725 new confirmed cases, the highest number since the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the impact of the variant virus, the UK has recorded over 50,000 daily confirmed cases for five consecutive days.

Additionally, confirmed cases of this virus have already occurred in Asia, including China and Vietnam, and the number of infections is increasing domestically as well.

On the 2nd, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced that as of midnight, whole genome analysis of COVID-19 confirmed cases revealed 4 additional cases of the UK variant virus and 1 case of the South African variant virus.

Among the 4 newly infected with the UK variant virus, 3 are known to be family members of an elderly man in his 80s who was found to have the variant virus on the 30th of last month. This man, who had entered from the UK, died of cardiac arrest while leaving his home to undergo a test for release from self-quarantine. Post-mortem testing confirmed he was COVID-19 positive.

Citizens are getting tested at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 4th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) increased by 1,020, returning to the 1,000 range after three days.
Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Given this situation, concerns are rising among citizens that the variant virus might spread into the local community.

Various online communities and mom cafes are demanding measures to block the virus, saying, "It is said to be more transmissible than the existing virus, so I am worried," "Please strictly manage from the entry stage," and "Won't it spread instantly? Extraordinary measures seem necessary."

Recently, a petition titled 'Ban on Foreigners' Entry to Prevent the Inflow of COVID Variant Virus' was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petitioner stated, "(The government and quarantine authorities) cannot guarantee 100% prevention of variant virus inflow," and added, "Entry bans are the most perfect way to block the variant virus inflow and are what many citizens want."

They continued, "Like other countries, implementing a two-week entry ban is the best measure in the current situation," and urged, "Please enforce the entry ban."

The quarantine authorities announced that they will strengthen quarantine measures for overseas entrants to block the domestic inflow of the variant virus. Im Suk-young, head of the CDCH Situation Management Team, said at a briefing on the 2nd, "To block the domestic inflow of the variant virus, we have strengthened quarantine by tightening fever criteria and expanded diagnostic testing before release from quarantine."

Previously, the government restricted new visa issuance for entrants from the UK and South Africa starting from the 29th of last month, and UK-origin flights have been suspended until the 7th. From the 8th and 15th respectively, all foreigners entering the country through airports and seaports will be required to submit a PCR 'negative certificate' issued within 72 hours of departure.

Experts advised that stronger measures are needed to prevent the variant virus from spreading in the local community.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The UK variant virus has high transmissibility and is already a global problem," adding, "Since the first confirmed domestic case was an elderly person, symptoms might have been ambiguous, making detection difficult."

He continued, "It is important to focus on monitoring virus mutations and blocking domestic inflow," and advised, "Especially, it is necessary to confirm how widely the UK variant virus has spread in the local community. Quarantine authorities should quickly investigate and evaluate these aspects and reflect them in countermeasures."

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