Ministry of Justice to Apply 'PCR Test' Requirement to Re-Entering Foreigners as Well

'Exemption from Testing' Not Allowed... Testing Required Regardless of Departure Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] From now on, foreign nationals re-entering the country will also be required to submit a 'PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test negative certificate' to enter South Korea. While re-entering foreigners previously had an easier entry process by submitting a 'diagnostic exemption certificate,' now even those who temporarily left the country after staying domestically must undergo a COVID-19 test.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Justice announced that it will immediately apply this 're-entry permit system' from midnight on the 8th in response to the recent spread of highly transmissible COVID-19 variant viruses.

Until now, re-entry was subject to somewhat looser regulations compared to initial entry regarding COVID-19 quarantine measures. Entry was possible by submitting a general hospital diagnosis or a diagnostic exemption certificate instead of a PCR negative certificate. In particular, the 'diagnostic exemption certificate for re-entry permit holders' was broadly allowed for foreign nationals who left for investment-related business, reporting, research, or academic purposes and re-entered within three weeks.

However, as variant viruses have recently spread in the UK and other countries, the submission of a PCR negative certificate has been made mandatory for all foreigners entering and re-entering the country. The exemption for diagnostic certificates has been removed, and general diagnosis certificates will no longer be accepted. The application method based on the length of the stay abroad will also not be applied for the time being. Negative certificates will only be recognized if issued within 72 hours, i.e., three days, from the departure date.

The Ministry of Justice stated that this measure is to respond to the global spread of COVID-19 and to prevent the spread of variant viruses, emphasizing that quarantine management for entrants will be strengthened. In fact, variant viruses have recently been spreading rapidly, centered in the UK and South Africa. They have up to 70% higher transmissibility than the original virus and have been detected in the US, France, Germany, Japan, and other countries. In South Korea, as of the 5th, a total of 12 people have been confirmed infected with variant viruses.

Earlier, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 1st that the submission of PCR negative certificates would be mandatory for incoming entrants for the same reason. General foreign entrants will also be subject to this regulation starting from the 8th.

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