From Tomorrow, 'Post-Entry PCR Test' Lifted... Resumption of Contact Visits at Nursing Hospitals (Comprehensive)

Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Recipients Allowed to Leave or Stay Overnight Outside Nursing Facilities

The government has decided to abolish the pre-entry COVID-19 test for overseas arrivals. On the 29th, the testing center at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 was crowded with passengers. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From October 1st, the mandatory PCR test on the first day after entry for overseas arrivals will be lifted. From the 4th, in-person visits at nursing hospitals and facilities will also resume.

Lee Ki-il, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 30th, "From 0:00 on October 1st, the mandatory PCR test within one day after entry will be lifted."

The health authorities explained that considering the stabilization trend of domestic and international quarantine situations, the low fatality rate of Omicron subvariants, and the inconvenience caused to the public by mandatory testing, the decision to stop mandatory testing after entry was made after gathering expert opinions.

Accordingly, following the earlier lifting of quarantine obligations for arrivals and the removal of pre-entry testing requirements, all COVID-19 quarantine measures related to domestic entry will be eliminated. However, those who wish to be tested within three days after entry can receive a free PCR test at public health centers regardless of COVID-19 symptoms.

The government plans to continuously monitor domestic and international circulating variants through testing symptomatic individuals at quarantine stages, free testing at public health centers after entry, and national respiratory virus integrated surveillance even after the mandatory testing is discontinued.

Lee, the 1st General Coordinator, stated, "The COVID-19 overseas inflow positive rate has decreased from 1.3% in August to 0.9% this month, and the fatality rate of the currently dominant BA.5 variant is also decreasing. However, if a variant with a high fatality rate emerges or if stricter entry management is needed, reintroduction of PCR testing will be considered."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the number of new COVID-19 cases today is in the 28,000 range, and so far, 24,077,000 people, or 48% of the entire population, have experienced COVID-19 infection. The infection reproduction number is 0.80, marking five consecutive weeks below 1.

Due to the resurgence of COVID-19, the government has decided to allow contact visits again from October 4th at infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and facilities, which had been restricted since July 25th. Visitors can have face-to-face visits with inpatients or residents at nursing hospitals and facilities anytime after confirming a negative result with a self-diagnosis kit before the visit. Masks must be worn during visits, and consumption of food and drinks should be avoided.

Elderly residents at nursing hospitals and facilities who have completed their 4th vaccination dose will also be allowed to go out or stay overnight outside. Until now, outings were only permitted for outpatient treatment. However, upon returning to the nursing hospital or facility, a rapid antigen test must be taken.

External programs at nursing hospitals and facilities will also be resumed. Instructors conducting these programs must have completed the 3rd vaccination dose or have had at least two doses plus a confirmed infection history, and must undergo preemptive testing if symptomatic.

Preemptive testing for workers at infection-vulnerable facilities will be maintained while monitoring the epidemic situation to decide on any adjustments.

Lee, the 1st General Coordinator, said, "Considering that the number of cluster infections in infection-vulnerable facilities decreased by 64%, from 3,015 in August to 1,075 in September, and that the 4th vaccination rate at nursing hospitals and facilities is very high at 90.3%, quarantine measures at infection-vulnerable facilities have been eased."

Additionally, the government plans to strengthen quarantine management at schools and youth facilities, where teenagers with high infection rates mainly live, in preparation for the possibility of simultaneous outbreaks of influenza and COVID-19 this winter.

Lee, the 1st General Coordinator, said, "COVID-19 is now entering its final phase. Although one wave of outbreak is expected this winter, we will ultimately overcome COVID-19. We will prepare necessary measures in advance."

Meanwhile, at today's meeting, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that it is promoting quarantine safety inspections and strengthening communication regarding quarantine at family, youth, and women’s welfare facilities. They recommend weekly COVID-19 testing for childcare workers and have supported 420,693 cases of emergency care through youth after-school academies to address care gaps caused by COVID-19 since 2020.

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