Authorities Say It Is Difficult to Conclude 'No Possibility' of Omicron Entering the Country

On the morning of the 30th of last month, a staff member wearing protective clothing is checking body temperature and verifying vaccination certificates at the check-in counter of Incheon International Airport. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The quarantine authorities have stated that it is difficult to categorically deny the possibility of the Omicron COVID-19 variant entering the country. They plan to consider strengthening quarantine measures as soon as the risk level is analyzed if the Omicron variant's entry becomes a reality.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing of the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the morning of the 1st, "Although entry and various tests are being strengthened, it is currently difficult to definitively say that there is 'no' possibility of the Omicron variant entering the domestic community," adding, "We are strengthening entry controls and diagnostic tests for foreign entrants, and if necessary, we are promoting the expansion of variant testing overall."

Regarding the possibility of strengthening quarantine measures due to the entry of the Omicron variant, Son took a cautious stance, saying that the risk level of Omicron has not yet been identified. He said, "(This risk level) is an important factor in deciding how proactively and seriously quarantine responses should be implemented, but it will take some time," and noted that decision-making is difficult with limited information. However, if domestic entry is confirmed, he added, "There are signs of risk," and "We believe there is a need to implement stricter quarantine responses."

Passengers are seen undergoing immigration inspection through thermal imaging cameras installed at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Development of diagnostic kits for rapid detection of the Omicron variant is also underway. Son said, "Currently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests we are conducting can diagnose COVID-19 including Omicron without issues," but added, "We are quickly exploring whether separate tools that can precisely diagnose Omicron rapidly can be developed."

The diagnostic methods currently used domestically can confirm COVID-19 infection itself but cannot immediately determine whether the virus is the Omicron variant. The suspected case of entry from Nigeria was classified as suspicious because it showed positive reactions in regions common to Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omicron variants, but negative in regions specific only to the Delta variant. The government expects that variant PCR capable of rapid Omicron variant diagnosis will be developed within a month through public-private cooperation.

Regarding the fact that new confirmed cases and critically ill patients have each exceeded 5,000 and 700 respectively, Son explained, "The proportion of elderly people continues to be significantly high compared to the scale of the spread, causing a greater increase in critically ill patients," and added, "We are conducting additional vaccinations (booster shots) as quickly and widely as possible, focusing on the elderly." On adjustments to social distancing measures, he said, "There is a need, but the inconvenience caused to the public’s daily lives is very significant, and there are concerns about economic damage to the livelihood economy and vulnerable groups," adding, "We will decide after consulting with the Daily Recovery Support Committee and others."

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