From the 23rd, Entry Allowed with Rapid Antigen Test... Mandatory Post-Entry Tests Reduced from 2 to 1

Pre-Entry Testing: Both PCR and Professional Rapid Antigen Tests Allowed
From Next Month 1, One PCR Test Must Be Taken Within 3 Days After Entry

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Starting from the 23rd, overseas arrivals will be allowed to enter the country with a negative confirmation from either a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or a professional rapid antigen test. The mandatory COVID-19 testing after entry will be reduced from one PCR test and one rapid antigen test to just one PCR test starting from the 1st of next month.

On the 13th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters discussed this plan to reform the management of overseas arrivals during a meeting.

Accordingly, from the 23rd, the health authorities will recognize a negative confirmation from a professional rapid antigen test conducted within 24 hours of entry alongside the PCR test. Currently, overseas arrivals must submit a negative PCR test result conducted within 48 hours before entry to be allowed into the country.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, explained during a briefing, "Many measures overseas are replacing PCR tests with professional rapid antigen tests, making it difficult to get PCR tests or causing significant cost burdens, which has led to fairness controversies."

The mandatory COVID-19 testing after entry will be reduced from two tests to one test starting from the 1st of next month. Currently, arrivals must take a PCR test on day 1 and a rapid antigen test on days 6 to 7, but from the 1st, the rapid antigen test on days 6 to 7 will be changed from mandatory to recommended. Additionally, the PCR test required on day 1 after entry can now be taken within 3 days instead of strictly on day 1.

Furthermore, from the 1st of next month, the age exemption for quarantine when entering with a vaccinated guardian will be expanded from under 6 years old to under 12 years old.

Also, considering domestic vaccination recommendations, overseas arrivals aged 12 to 17 will be recognized as "fully vaccinated" 14 days after their second dose. This is because the third dose for those aged 12 to 17 is only recommended for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying conditions. Currently, the vaccination completion criteria for this age group is "completion of the third dose or between 14 days after the second dose and up to 180 days."

Park Hyang, head of the Quarantine General Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "Going forward, the government will gradually improve the overseas entry management system and respond more strongly to new variants or resurgences imported from abroad."

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