[Report] "New Virus, Triple Check"... Visiting Quarantine Frontline at Incheon Airport

New Coronavirus Quarantine Site at Incheon Airport National Quarantine Station
"Applying the Highest Level Quarantine Procedures Equivalent to MERS and Ebola"

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo (second from the right) visited quarantine site at Gate 112, Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport on the 23rd to inspect and receive explanations. This is the location where the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Korea entered the country.

[Yeongjongdo (Incheon) = Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] "The Chinese woman who was the first confirmed case in Korea did not have a cough when she first entered the country. She had some other symptoms, but considering her schedule, she spent a lot of time at Incheon Airport, so a prompt transfer decision was made."

Kim Hansook, Head of Quarantine Division 1 at the National Incheon Airport Quarantine Station, described the situation when the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection, so-called Wuhan pneumonia, who arrived on a direct flight from Wuhan on the 19th, was transferred. This patient, who had received a cold prescription at a local hospital in China a day before entering Korea, was classified as a symptomatic subject for investigation during domestic quarantine and was confirmed as a positive case the next day after testing.

After the outbreak in Wuhan City, China last month, which spread throughout China and neighboring countries, our quarantine authorities raised the level of quarantine. Although it was initially believed that human-to-human transmission was unlikely, preparations were made for any eventuality, which helped prevent further spread. On the 23rd, the press visited Gate 112 of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport, considered the frontline of the strengthened quarantine system. The first confirmed case in Korea was also detected at this quarantine stage. The woman living in Wuhan City was reportedly planning a trip to Korea and Japan with acquaintances during the Lunar New Year holiday...

On the afternoon of the 23rd, employees of the National Quarantine Station under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency are measuring passengers' temperatures with thermal cameras at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport.

There are eight flights arriving directly from Wuhan, China to Incheon Airport every week except for two days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. China Southern Airlines uses Gate 112 at Terminal 1, and Korean Air uses Gate 246 at Terminal 2. Initially, domestic low-cost carriers were also scheduled to operate from the 22nd, but this was postponed due to the current situation. Each time a plane lands, quarantine is conducted on approximately 120 to 170 passengers. With the lockdown decision in Wuhan, the number is expected to decrease going forward.

Health Status Checked by Quarantine Officers for Fever and Respiratory Symptoms
Flights from Wuhan Operate 8 Times a Week... "One-on-One and Close Quarantine for Over 100 People"

Quarantine involves three main stages. Flights arriving from contaminated countries like Wuhan City are directed to enter through specific gates, with prior arrangements made with the airport corporation and airlines. Basic epidemiological investigation-capable quarantine officers are stationed right in front of the gate. Each passenger disembarking the plane undergoes immediate fever screening and reviews a pre-filled health status questionnaire. The questionnaire asks about basic symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills over the past three weeks, as well as seat location on the plane and places of stay in Korea.

If no special symptoms are present, passengers proceed through this area to a fixed quarantine station and then complete immigration procedures. If symptoms are reported or visible signs such as fever are observed, quarantine officers on site conduct additional checks. Based on symptoms, individuals are classified as active monitoring targets or symptomatic subjects for investigation. Active monitoring targets include acquaintances who had contact with the patient, passengers seated near the patient on the plane, flight attendants, and airport staff, who are then monitored by phone for fever and respiratory symptoms for two weeks. The second confirmed case in Korea on the 24th was identified during such active monitoring while receiving treatment at a public health center.

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is handing out information leaflets to arrivals at the Antler quarantine desk on the east side of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport on the 23rd.

Symptomatic subjects for investigation are immediately transferred on site to government-designated inpatient treatment beds. The first confirmed patient was transferred to Incheon Medical Center at that time. When dealing with symptomatic subjects, the highest level of protective clothing (Level D) is worn to prepare for any emergency. Kim explained, "When a symptomatic subject is identified, they are moved to the nearest isolation facility to minimize contamination, and disinfection is carried out around the movement radius." He added, "Currently, quarantine is conducted at the highest level, similar to MERS and Ebola."

On the day, Park Neunghoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, visited Incheon Airport to directly check the quarantine site and encourage quarantine staff. He said, "According to WHO decisions, quarantine levels should be raised, but Korea is already conducting quarantine at a level equivalent to an upgrade." He also stated, "We hold multiple meetings daily with Chinese health authorities to receive information and verify it through WHO." Minister Park inspected the quarantine situation at each stage and distributed informational leaflets containing precautions related to the novel coronavirus to those entering Korea by air.

Although quarantine measures are tightened to block the virus, health authorities explain that quarantine alone cannot prevent 100% of cases. This is because even if an infectious virus is present, symptoms may not be outwardly visible. A Korea Centers for Disease Control official said, "During the holiday period, travel between China and neighboring countries including Korea is expected to increase sharply, so it is important to prevent transmission at the community level along with quarantine." He added, "People should refrain from visiting medical institutions unnecessarily, wear masks, practice proper cough etiquette, and promptly report suspected cases at medical institutions."