"COVID-19 Testing Before Entry Should Be Abolished... PCR Testing After Entry Must Be Maintained"

National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee Maintains Domestic High-Risk Group PCR Testing Policy

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

The National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee has recommended abolishing the pre-entry COVID-19 test for overseas arrivals and replacing it with a post-entry test. However, it emphasized that the post-entry test must be maintained for the time being.

At a press briefing on the 29th, Jeong Gi-seok, chairman of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, said, "It is ultimately appropriate to abolish the PCR tests and rapid antigen tests (RAT) conducted 48 hours and 24 hours before departure from other countries, respectively," adding, "While the timing and method need to be thoroughly discussed, we proposed replacing them with a test within 24 hours after entry."

Currently, all domestic arrivals must submit a negative PCR test result 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 require negative certificates, leading to ongoing demands, especially 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.

In response, Chairman Jeong explained that the advisory committee has reached a consensus leaning toward abolition, considering the current test accuracy, effectiveness, and the burden on individuals.

Chairman Jeong said, "Many people have experienced that the tests themselves are very inadequate, and there is little difference whether in developed countries or not," adding, "There is no reason to cause inconvenience by conducting inadequate tests, so we have begun serious discussions on easing or abolishing them." He also explained, "However, the PCR test conducted immediately after entry must be maintained for the time being."

The advisory committee also decided to maintain the current policy of regular PCR testing for high-risk groups in the country.

Chairman Jeong said, "At the 4th advisory committee meeting on the 24th, we discussed the direction of the COVID-19 diagnostic testing policy, which involves a large budget, and the need for a system transition," adding, "The committee recommended maintaining the current diagnostic testing policy direction for the time being in line with the quarantine policy stance."

He continued, "Regular preemptive PCR testing for high-risk groups will continue for the time being," explaining, "It is necessary to proactively detect even slight infections in high-risk facilities and groups through PCR testing."

The advisory committee also forecasted that the domestic COVID-19 resurgence will peak within this month but emphasized the need to prepare for various scenarios such as a continued decline or repeated small-scale outbreaks afterward. It stressed that building an integrated information system linking surveillance, epidemiological investigations, and other data is crucial for establishing data-driven quarantine policies. Additionally, it suggested reviewing the admission criteria for severe and semi-severe beds and the rapid transfer system by reflecting opinions from related academic societies, experts, and local health centers.

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