From Today, 'Pre-Entry COVID-19 Test' Abolished... Post-Entry PCR Test Maintained

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@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] From the 3rd, all domestic and foreign nationals entering the country by air or sea will no longer be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate.

The government has decided to abolish the mandatory pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirement for all entrants starting from 0:00 on the 3rd. This applies uniformly regardless of COVID-19 vaccination history or the country of departure.

Until now, everyone entering the country had to submit a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 48 hours before entry or a professional rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 hours. The reference point was 0:00 on the departure day; for example, if departing on the 3rd at 10:00 by flight, a RAT test after 0:00 on the 2nd or a PCR test after 0:00 on the 1st with a negative result was required.

Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, explained the background, saying, "The scale of COVID-19 outbreaks overseas is decreasing, and a decline in domestic cases has been confirmed after nine weeks," adding, "This aligns with the global trend of stopping the submission of negative test certificates." Among the 38 OECD countries, only South Korea and Japan required pre-entry testing. Japan plans to exempt pre-entry testing for those who have received three or more vaccine doses starting from the 7th.

Although the pre-entry testing requirement is removed from this day, the mandatory PCR test within one day after entry remains in place. Lee Ki-il, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said, "Please understand that this is the minimum measure to block overseas variant infections." Korean nationals and long-term foreign residents can take PCR tests at nearby public health center screening clinics, while short-term foreign residents can take PCR tests at the Incheon Airport testing center or hospitals/clinics.

The quarantine authorities do not plan to allow professional rapid antigen tests for post-entry testing. Lim Sook-young, Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "Rapid antigen tests have significantly reduced sensitivity for asymptomatic cases, and since monitoring variants from overseas is important, post-entry tests will be conducted using PCR." Variant viruses are identified through whole genome sequencing after PCR testing.

Commissioner Baek stated, "If the situation changes, such as the emergence of highly fatal variants of concern overseas, we will promptly strengthen entry controls, including reintroducing pre-entry PCR testing."

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