Jeong Gi-seok "Possibility of Domestic Spread from China-Origin Cases"... How to Strengthen Quarantine for Entrants from China

Jeong Gi-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee held a meeting on the 29th to discuss measures to strengthen quarantine protocols for arrivals from China, where confirmed COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing.

In his opening remarks, Jeong Gi-seok, chairman of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, pointed out, "Following the Chinese government's easing of quarantine measures such as lifting temporary lockdowns, COVID-19 cases within China have surged," adding, "There is concern about increased domestic inflow due to the rise in COVID-19 cases from China and the potential spread of new variant viruses."

Chairman Jeong also stated, "The advisory committee will support the government in reviewing various potential risk factors and their impacts from multiple angles to ensure that the return to ordinary daily life is not affected by external variables, enabling the government to respond rationally and swiftly."

During the expert meeting held that day, the advisory committee evaluated the COVID-19 epidemic situation in China, examined its impact on South Korea, and discussed necessary quarantine measures to be conveyed to the government.

As China shifts to 'With COVID' policy... Proportion of confirmed cases from China jumps from 1% to 10%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government’s consideration of strengthening quarantine measures for arrivals from China stems from China’s policy shift this month from maintaining a 'Zero COVID' stance for three years to adopting a 'With COVID' approach. In Beijing and other areas, the BF.7 COVID variant is spreading, increasing infections, and the number of confirmed cases arriving from China has recently begun to rise sharply.

Since the first domestic COVID-19 case on January 3, 2020, the proportion of confirmed cases imported from China among all overseas imported cases was only in the 1% range, but from January 1 to 28 this year, confirmed cases from China surged to 15.1% (278 cases). The domestic detection rate of BF.7 was 3.7% in the third week of December (18?24), slightly down from 4.0% the previous week, but when considering imported cases, it actually increased from 3.8% to 5.4%.

The quarantine authorities expect that with the lifting of the 8-day quarantine requirement for both Korean and foreign nationals entering from China starting January 8, the number of travelers from China will increase, leading to a rise in confirmed cases. Im Suk-young, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters Situation Management Team, said, “(When China opens its borders in January next year) travel between China and South Korea is expected to become more frequent, and an increase in confirmed cases is anticipated,” adding, “The government is evaluating this impact from multiple perspectives.”

Additional quarantine measures for arrivals from China expected on the 30th

Since the 16th, the quarantine authorities designated China as a ‘targeted quarantine country,’ strengthening the fever threshold from 37.5°C to 37.3°C, and requiring PCR testing for symptomatic individuals’ companions even if asymptomatic, while monitoring variant viruses that may have characteristic changes through whole genome sequencing.

Based on the quarantine strengthening measures proposed by the advisory committee, the government plans to announce enhanced quarantine measures related to China at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Deok-su on the 30th. It is currently under consideration to require submission of a negative PCR test certificate exclusively for arrivals from China.

Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of Gachon University’s Department of Preventive Medicine emphasized, “PCR testing should be temporarily conducted for arrivals and transit passengers from China to confirm infection status,” adding, “It is also important to identify and share the characteristics of variants through variant testing of positive cases.”

Countries around the world have already strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China. For example, Japan requires all arrivals from China to undergo COVID-19 testing starting on the 30th. The United States will require travelers aged two and older arriving from China to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate starting February 5. India, Taiwan, Italy, and other countries have also established mandatory COVID-19 testing policies for arrivals from China.

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