'Highest Intensity' Quarantine Measures Worldwide, 42 Countries Restrict Entry of Koreans and Others... 21 Countries Ban Entry

China Officially Confirms Entry Restrictions for Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang Provinces

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The number of countries locking their borders against South Korea is rapidly increasing. Since the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the cumulative number of patients in South Korea surpassed 1,200 within a month, prompting countries around the world to impose stringent entry restrictions on Koreans and foreigners who have passed through Korea. Especially after the South Korean government raised the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' last weekend, the number of countries completely banning entry has surged, raising growing concerns.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies on the 27th, the number of countries banning entry of Koreans and foreigners who have transited through Korea reached 21 as of 10 a.m., including Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel. This figure includes countries that allow entry only after more than 14 days have passed since departure from Korea. Japan banned entry of foreigners who visited Daegu and Cheongdo regions within the last 14 days starting from midnight on the 27th.

Countries that have not banned entry but have strengthened entry procedures increased to 21, including China, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Oman, Qatar, Macau, and Taiwan. These countries have enhanced quarantine measures or imposed quarantine on foreigners who have passed through Korea, either at home or at designated separate locations. As a result, the total number of countries implementing entry bans or restrictions surged to 42.

Above all, since the South Korean government raised the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' on the 23rd, the number of countries imposing entry bans has noticeably increased. Before the 'serious' alert level, only 6 to 7 countries officially banned entry, fewer than those that strengthened entry procedures, but the number has nearly tripled within a week. Many countries are choosing lockdowns, the strongest response to infectious disease spread, rather than merely strengthening entry procedures.

The number of countries completely blocking entry of Koreans and foreigners who have visited Korea is likely to increase sharply for the time being. Following Japan, the Philippines announced in a press briefing the previous day that it would ban entry of travelers coming from Gyeongbuk and is considering expanding the target areas. Currently, it is known that about 130 countries have banned or restricted entry of Chinese nationals and foreigners who have visited China.

Moreover, some local governments in China have begun independently imposing entry restrictions regardless of symptoms of infectious diseases on both domestic and foreign nationals, raising the possibility of a sharp increase in cases of entry bans or restrictions. Confirmed locations within China forcibly quarantining Koreans and other foreigners include Weihai in Shandong Province, Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, and Shenyang in Liaoning Province, with the number gradually increasing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The South Korean government is busily mobilizing all diplomatic channels to prevent excessive measures against Korea, but it is uncertain whether these efforts will be effective. On the 25th, Deputy Minister Kim Geon held a briefing with the diplomatic corps in Korea at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, and on the 26th, urgently summoned Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming to discuss entry restrictions, but concerns remain persistent. Ambassador Xing told reporters the previous day, "The Chinese government has not imposed restrictions on Korean nationals," and explained, "Many Chinese nationals are among those quarantined. We ask for understanding and consideration."