After Overseas Travel, Enter 'Q Code'... PCR Test on Day 1 of Entry

'A Mandatory "Pre-Entry Test" Abolished
Overseas Travel History Provided by Medical Institutions Expanded from 5 to 10 Countries'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the number of travelers returning from overseas during the Chuseok holiday increases, health authorities have urged people to comply with quarantine rules and accurately report their health status to prevent COVID-19 and monkeypox infections.

On the 11th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) advised, "To ensure a healthy return to daily life after the holiday, please follow infectious disease prevention guidelines throughout the entire overseas travel process?from preparation, travel, to return."

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation, an average of 58,800 people per day are expected to use Incheon International Airport during this holiday period. This is more than five times the number compared to last year.

It is important for overseas travelers to check infectious disease information for their destination countries in advance to prepare for risk factors. During overseas travel, individuals should thoroughly maintain personal hygiene by washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds after going out or before meals, avoid consuming contaminated water or food by boiling or cooking them, and refrain from contact with wild animals.

In particular, as COVID-19 and monkeypox are spreading worldwide, health authorities have requested that people avoid contact with symptomatic individuals showing fever or rash, refrain from large gatherings, and adhere to mask-wearing and handwashing.

Upon returning from overseas travel, travelers must accurately enter their health status through the pre-entry quarantine information input system (Q-code) just before arrival. If any abnormal symptoms are felt during entry, they should report to quarantine officers to enable preemptive measures.

Although the mandatory COVID-19 test before entry for overseas travelers was abolished on the 3rd, PCR testing after entry is still maintained. Accordingly, travelers must undergo a PCR test on the first day after entry and register the results in the Q-code system.

Meanwhile, since the 8th, the KDCA has expanded the list of countries subject to monkeypox travel history reporting at medical institutions from 5 to 10 countries. In addition to the existing United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France, the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, Peru, and Canada have been added.

Accordingly, travelers arriving from these countries will be screened for symptoms with a lowered fever threshold from 37.5℃ to 37.3℃ during quarantine. Also, when individuals with a travel history to these countries visit hospitals or clinics, a message will appear on the medical staff’s monitor during registration and prescription stages, urging them to closely observe symptoms along with the travel history information.

The health authorities stated, "We are thoroughly monitoring all stages of entry and actively encouraging medical institutions that treat suspected cases after entry to report them." They urged, "Overseas arrivals who develop suspicious symptoms such as fever or rash after entry should report by calling 1339 and seek medical treatment at healthcare facilities."

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