US May Ban Entry or Strengthen Immigration Screening for Koreans (Comprehensive)

WP Predicts Possible Additional Korean Regulations Under Trump Administration
New York Mayor Demands Stricter Korean Entry Screening
LA City Requests Movement Details of Korean Air Crew Confirmed with COVID-19

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 27th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to approve new measures if the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues to increase in Korea.

The U.S. had previously implemented a measure on January 31st to deny entry to foreign nationals who had visited China within the past two weeks after the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, and this could be applied to Korea as well.

WP cited government officials saying that the new restrictions could amount to a ban on all foreign nationals traveling from Korea to the U.S. This means not only Koreans but also foreigners who have stayed in Korea could be affected. President Trump, in a press conference the day before, said it was not the right time to impose travel or entry bans on Korea but left the possibility open, which now seems more likely to materialize.

This U.S. stance appears to be related to the fact that Korea has the second highest number of infections after China, and the spread of infection including a positive COVID-19 case among a U.S. military soldier and a family member stationed in Korea.

The U.S. State Department raised the travel advisory for Korea to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) immediately after President Trump’s press conference, but is reportedly negative about imposing an entry ban on Korea.

There are also calls to strengthen entry screening for Koreans. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on the 26th that, in relation to the spread of COVID-19, he requested the federal government to strengthen entry screening for people from Korea, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Currently, New York applies enhanced entry screening procedures only for arrivals from China. The Korean Consulate General in New York advised that those planning to visit the U.S. should prepare for the possibility of strengthened entry screening.

Concerns are also growing in Los Angeles, where many Koreans reside, following the confirmation of a Korean Air cabin crew member testing positive. After the Los Angeles County authorities requested the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the crew member’s movement information, the Los Angeles city authorities also reportedly requested related information from the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles.