Nation-Independent Lockdown Measures Continue... Rapid Increase in Countries Banning Entry
On the 4th, when the entry restriction measures for foreigners visiting Hubei Province, China were implemented, a Chinese tourist who entered after passing through the quarantine lane exclusively for passengers from China at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport is showing a quarantine confirmation certificate. / Yeongjongdo = Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The number of countries taking measures against arrivals from Korea has increased to 157. In particular, the number of countries imposing entry bans on all or parts of Korea has reached 100.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 18th, as of 9 a.m. that day, the number of countries implementing entry measures against arrivals from Korea due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was counted at 157. Ninety-five countries have imposed entry bans on the entire territory of Korea, and five countries have imposed entry bans on certain regions of Korea. Compared to 10 p.m. the previous day, the number of countries imposing entry bans on the entire territory of Korea increased by four.
The Bolivian government decided to close its borders and ban entry of all foreigners starting from 2:30 p.m. local time on the 19th. From the 20th, all international flight routes will be suspended, and interregional land travel will also be controlled. The Canadian government will ban entry of all foreigners except Americans, and Costa Rica will ban entry of all foreigners from midnight on the 19th until April 12.
Russia has also joined the entry ban measures. Russia announced that it will ban entry of foreigners, except for diplomatic personnel, airline and ship crew members, and airport transit passengers, from midnight on the 18th until May 1. Bulgaria will block entry of foreigners arriving from Korea, China, India, Italy, and other countries starting from midnight on the 18th. Countries including Cameroon, Peru, and the Philippines have closed borders either nationwide or regionally.
A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "As of 10 a.m. the previous day, 37 countries have blocked entry of foreigners regardless of their government," adding, "It seems to be expanding following the World Health Organization (WHO)'s declaration of a pandemic."
The number of countries implementing quarantine measures is counted at 15. Within China alone, 25 local governments are enforcing quarantine measures, and countries such as Vietnam, Romania, and Croatia are implementing similar measures. Additionally, 42 countries have been confirmed to be taking measures such as strengthening quarantine and issuing recommendations.
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