Decision on Abolishing 'Pre-Entry PCR Test' to Be Made Next Week... "Considering Domestic Quarantine Situation"

Controversy Over Burden of Testing Costs and Low Effectiveness

On the 11th, passengers are waiting for tests at the COVID-19 departure-only testing center in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government will make a final decision next week on whether to abolish the pre-entry COVID-19 test for people entering Korea from overseas.

An official from the quarantine authorities said on the 28th, "We are comprehensively considering the impact of abolishing the pre-entry test on domestic quarantine," and added, "We plan to hold consultations with experts and related ministries next week." The authorities explained that the timing for abolishing the pre-entry test will be decided by considering the COVID-19 resurgence situation and the scale of imported cases from abroad.

Currently, all entrants to Korea must submit a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test result taken within 48 hours before entry or a negative professional rapid antigen test (RAT) result within 24 hours before entry, and additionally receive a PCR test result within one day after entry.

However, cases have occurred where PCR tests taken before boarding in some countries are conducted inadequately or excessive testing fees are demanded from Koreans who need negative certificates, leading to continuous demands from the tourism and travel industries to abolish the pre-entry test. There have also been criticisms that the short time interval between pre- and post-entry tests reduces their effectiveness.

Among the 38 OECD countries, only Korea and Japan currently require pre-entry tests, and Japan has decided not to require pre-entry tests for those who have received three or more vaccine doses starting from the 7th of next month.

Accordingly, the Korean government is also reviewing a plan to abolish the pre-entry COVID-19 test for people entering Korea from overseas, and it is known that a conclusion will be reached soon after going through procedures such as the Quarantine Management Committee. Although there were suggestions to abolish the pre-entry test first for countries with short flight times such as China and Japan, it is reported that opinions have converged on applying the policy uniformly to all countries due to ambiguous criteria and concerns that it could cause confusion.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) also stated at a regular briefing on the 25th, "As imported cases are on the rise, we are closely monitoring changes in domestic and international situations while maintaining the pre-entry test," and added, "We are reviewing how to adjust the pre-entry test through consultations with experts and related ministries, considering the overall impact on quarantine."

However, since the resurgence has not completely subsided and the number of imported cases remains high, some restrictions may remain for unvaccinated individuals. At a briefing on the 24th, Park Hyang, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, expressed a somewhat cautious stance, saying, "Travel by airplane involves many considerations as meals and other activities take place in a confined space."

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