Government to Lift PCR Testing Requirement for Travelers from China Starting Next Month on the 1st

Mandatory Pre-Entry PCR and Q-Code Registration Remain in Effect

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Starting next month, all entrants coming from China to Korea will no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. However, pre-entry PCR testing and the use of the 'Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System (Q-CODE)' will remain in effect until March 10.

Kim Seong-ho, Director of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters), is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response on the morning of the 22nd at the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room in Government Sejong 2 Complex, Sejong City. Photo by Ministry of the Interior and Safety

On the 22nd, Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, announced at a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures meeting held at the Government Sejong 2 Complex, "From March 1, the government will lift the post-entry PCR testing requirement for arrivals from China and will resume entry through airports other than Incheon Airport."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the average daily number of confirmed cases last week was 11,599, which is a 14.4% decrease compared to the previous week and marks eight consecutive weeks of decline.

Last week, the number of newly severe and critical patients was 161. This is the first time in about seven months since the fifth week of July that the number has fallen into the 100s. Deaths have also continued to decrease since February, recording an average of 18.7 per day.

The positivity rate among entrants from China dropped from 18.4% in the first week of January to 0.6% in the third week of February.

Kim said, "As the positivity rate among entrants from China has decreased, we believe further easing of quarantine measures is possible. The mandatory pre-entry PCR testing and Q-CODE input will be extended until March 10 to monitor the impact of suspending other measures, after which an evaluation will be conducted to decide on their termination."

As of this date, the vaccination rate for those aged 60 and over stands at 32.4%. It has plateaued at 30.1% on January 12, 31.5% on January 31, and 32.2% on February 15.

On the other hand, the severe case rate has been steadily rising: 0.61% in the first week of January, 0.64% in the second week, 0.69% in the third week, 0.86% in the fourth week, and 0.93% in the first week of February.

Kim emphasized, "To maintain the current stable quarantine situation and prepare for a full return to normal life, protecting high-risk groups is essential. Considering that the vaccination rate among those aged 60 and over has stagnated in the low 30% range while the severe case rate has increased for four consecutive weeks, we urge high-risk vaccination candidates to actively participate in additional winter vaccinations."

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