Free Testing for Flu and COVID-19 Symptoms Upon Entry from Overseas Travel

Pilot Project for 'Airport Traveler Respiratory Infectious Disease Testing Service' Launched by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that starting from the 17th, it will conduct a pilot project for the 'Airport Traveler Respiratory Infectious Disease Testing Service' at Gimpo and Jeju Airports.

Yonhap News

Overseas travelers with respiratory symptoms can receive free testing for three types of respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and avian influenza (AI), upon arrival if they wish.

Previously, testing and quarantine were conducted only when epidemiological links to first-class quarantine infectious diseases (such as Ebola virus, novel influenza, MERS, SARS, etc.) were confirmed during quarantine. However, even without epidemiological links, travelers exhibiting symptoms such as fever, runny nose, or cough can voluntarily report for testing and then return home.

The tests are conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Test results can be received via mobile phone or email, and if positive, travelers can obtain a positive confirmation certificate from the quarantine office, which allows them to receive health insurance benefits when visiting medical institutions within 48 hours.

Ji Young-mi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "Through this pilot project, we expect to detect the early introduction of overseas infectious diseases and new or variant pathogens into the country, and enable travelers with suspected respiratory symptoms to quickly access medical institutions through prompt testing."

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