If You Have a Fever When Returning from Wuhan, You Cannot Board the Plane (Summary)

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Confirms Plan for Repatriation of Wuhan Residents at 3rd Meeting
Initially "Only Symptomatic Individuals to be Brought" → "After Consultation with Chinese Government, Asymptomatic Individuals to be Repatriated First"

Kim Kang-lip, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is answering questions after finishing a briefing on the novel coronavirus infection response situation and future action plans at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 29th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the government is pushing forward with plans to repatriate Korean residents staying in Wuhan, China, due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), it has been decided to bring back only those without symptoms. Initially, the plan was to repatriate regardless of symptom presence, but the Chinese government maintained its principle of prohibiting departure if symptoms such as fever are present, preventing a narrowing of the gap in positions.

Kim Kang-lip, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare leading the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing after the 3rd meeting on the 29th, "During consultations with Chinese authorities, we respected and understood the local quarantine laws and procedures, and decided to transport only asymptomatic individuals first." Earlier, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo had told reporters before meeting with heads of medical organizations that morning, "Symptomatic individuals will also be boarded separately (on the plane) in isolation." This represents a reversal of position within the headquarters in just half a day.

The Chinese health authorities' stance to prohibit departure if symptoms such as fever are present was already known to our government. The Wuhan Consulate General had also notified local residents of this when conducting a preliminary demand survey for the charter flight. Vice Minister Kim said, "This measure is not only applied to us but also to other countries that have repatriated their nationals," adding, "For residents remaining locally, we will ensure they receive maximum protection through local diplomatic missions."

Animal protection organizations, including the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, held a press conference on the 29th near the Chinese Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul, condemning China's wild animal consumption culture, which is considered the cause of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Among the 720 residents who applied in advance, those without symptoms will be repatriated over two days, the 30th and 31st, via charter flights. The temporary living facilities where they will stay were decided at the 3rd meeting of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to be the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, and the National Human Resources Development Institute for Public Officials in Jincheon, Chungbuk. The headquarters explained that after consultation with quarantine experts, these two state-run facilities were selected to minimize inconvenience to repatriates and public concerns about infection risk.

Vice Minister Kim Kang-lip said, "We considered the capacity of each facility, the location of nearby medical facilities, the distance for transportation between the airport and the facilities, and regional balance."

Repatriated Residents to Stay at Temporary Living Facilities in Asan and Jincheon
Medical Staff Permanently Stationed; Return Home if No Special Symptoms for 14 Days

After arrival, individuals will undergo symptom screening at the airport, and if asymptomatic, will be quarantined in temporary living facilities for two weeks. Efforts will be made to prevent mutual contact as much as possible, and masks will be worn at all times when leaving personal spaces. No external outings or visits will be allowed during the stay. Single rooms will be standard, but families with young children will be allowed to stay together in the same space. Vice Minister Kim explained, "Foreign governments do not provide such protective measures in these facilities, so our government is managing and protecting them better."

Additionally, medical staff will be stationed permanently to conduct twice-daily temperature checks and health questionnaires to monitor health status. Medical personnel will include doctors from the National Medical Center and military doctors from the Ministry of National Defense, as well as civilian nurses and nurse officers. If fever or respiratory symptoms appear, individuals will be immediately transferred to isolation medical institutions for confirmation and treatment. If no special symptoms occur during the two weeks, they will receive health education and then return home. The government will form a joint support team at the two selected facilities to provide medical equipment, personnel, and daily necessities.

On the 29th, amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), Chinese tourists are lining up to buy masks at a pharmacy on Myeongdong Street in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Regarding local opposition, Vice Minister Kim said, "These are asymptomatic individuals entering the country," adding, "The same quarantine is conducted during local departure and arrival processes, and if symptoms are present, they will stay in isolation facilities accordingly." He continued, "Facility quarantine is the highest level of preventive measure identified so far," emphasizing, "We will take measures to prevent infection and ensure necessary medical staff are stationed to provide support during their stay."