Strengthened Quarantine Management at Tourist Sites... PCR Before Enlistment and Self-Testing for Soldiers on Leave Maintained Upon Return (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The government is strengthening quarantine management by increasing COVID-19 prevention support personnel at tourist sites in preparation for the autumn travel season. Additionally, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the military, preemptive testing for new recruits and returning soldiers will be maintained.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 21st that at a CDSCH meeting chaired by the 1st General Coordinator (Lee Gi-il, 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), they discussed measures to strengthen quarantine management at amusement facilities and tourist sites in preparation for the autumn travel season, major military COVID-19 measures, and plans to respond to a resurgence during the winter season.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated at the CDSCH meeting that they will re-inspect quarantine management at amusement facilities and tourist sites and strengthen quarantine efforts by deploying additional personnel on-site to create a safe tourism environment in autumn. This is in response to the full lifting of outdoor mask mandates on the 26th of last month after 17 months, as well as the expected surge in domestic and international tourists during the peak autumn foliage and festival seasons.

Accordingly, about 2,500 quarantine management personnel will be deployed at major tourist sites to strengthen quarantine management through disinfecting tourist facilities, guiding tourists on quarantine rules, and encouraging crowd dispersal. Currently, the number of personnel supporting quarantine at Incheon Airport and seven regional airports will be increased from 117 to 156 to prepare for the sharp rise in international passenger demand. Metropolitan and local governments will also conduct focused inspections of quarantine conditions at amusement facilities and tourist sites in preparation for the autumn travel season.

Additionally, quarantine packages consisting of masks, hand sanitizing tissues, and other items will be distributed to visitors at amusement facilities and tourist sites. Education on quarantine rules for business operators and workers, as well as announcements to guide visitors, will also be encouraged.

The Ministry of National Defense reported on the ‘Major Military COVID-19 Measures and Winter Resurgence Response Plan’ and decided to maintain preemptive testing for new recruits and returning soldiers, which resumed on August 16. Although the weekly average number of confirmed cases has been steadily decreasing since peaking at 2,079 in the second week of August, this is to stably manage the scale of confirmed cases centered on the military’s quarantine and medical response system. Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense emphasized and educated all soldiers on basic quarantine rules to continuously promote a stable military life where daily life and quarantine coexist harmoniously.

The CDSCH is currently conducting seasonal flu vaccinations to prepare for the 'twindemic' of simultaneous COVID-19 and seasonal flu outbreaks, and plans to establish and announce additional COVID-19 vaccination plans soon.

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