"Clear Resurgence of COVID-19" Government Expands 4th Dose Eligibility... Pre-Booking Starts from 18th

Daily New Cases Double on Average... Infection Reproduction Number Above '1' for 2 Consecutive Weeks
Airport Quarantine Management Strengthened Due to Surge in Travel Demand... Incheon Airport and 7 Regional Airports

On the 13th, the COVID-19 testing center at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 was crowded with overseas arrivals. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the number of new confirmed cases was 40,266, including 398 imported cases. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government is expanding the target group for the 4th COVID-19 vaccination in preparation for a resurgence of the virus and will begin advance reservations from the 18th. Additionally, quarantine support personnel will be deployed at Incheon Airport and seven regional airports to strengthen quarantine management, including passenger classification.

On the 15th, Lee Sang-min, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) and Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, announced this during the CDSCH meeting opening remarks. The average daily number of new confirmed cases over the past week was 29,865, doubling compared to the previous week. The infection reproduction number has also remained above '1' for two consecutive weeks, indicating that the current spread is expected to continue for the time being.

Deputy Lee stated, "As the preventive effect of the 4th vaccination, which has been proactively administered to the elderly and others, has been objectively proven, we have decided to expand the target group for the 4th vaccination." He added, "Advance reservations for the additional eligible groups will begin on the 18th of next week, and vaccinations for those who have made reservations will start from August 1."

The newly added targets for the 4th vaccination include people in their 50s who have passed four months since their 3rd vaccination, individuals aged 18 and over with underlying conditions who are at high risk of severe illness and death if infected, as well as residents and workers in facilities for the disabled and homeless. They can choose from Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax vaccines. Deputy Lee explained, "Vaccinations at vulnerable infection facilities will be conducted through visiting vaccination teams, and same-day vaccinations using leftover vaccines and standby lists will also be available starting next Monday."

Quarantine management at airports will also be strengthened in response to the surge in travel demand. The government plans to gradually deploy about 200 quarantine support personnel at Incheon Airport and seven regional airports to enhance quarantine management, including passenger classification.

Deputy Lee said, "As a surge in travel demand is expected, we will create a safe tourism environment by supporting quarantine personnel," and added, "We will strengthen quarantine management at Incheon Airport and regional airports including Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju, Daegu, Muan, and Yangyang."

He continued, "More than 2,500 quarantine management personnel will be deployed at major tourist destinations nationwide to focus on guiding personal quarantine rules and to carry out indoor disinfection and ventilation."

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