[Q&A] "If Cases Keep Rising... Considering Full Testing for Arrivals from the US"

On the 19th, when the government expanded the special entry procedures to all incoming travelers worldwide to prevent the influx of COVID-19, passengers arriving on a passenger flight from Frankfurt, Germany, were undergoing the special entry procedures at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Travelers arriving from the United States will also be subject to self-quarantine starting from 0:00 on the 27th.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, stated at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 25th, "We are strengthening quarantine measures for arrivals from the United States." This action comes in response to the rapid increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the U.S. and the rising number of confirmed cases among travelers arriving from the U.S. to Korea.

Symptomatic arrivals from the U.S., regardless of nationality, will wait at quarantine facilities while undergoing diagnostic testing. If the test result is positive, they will be transferred to a hospital or a residential treatment center for care. If the result is negative, they will undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

Asymptomatic Korean nationals and long-term foreign residents arriving from the U.S. will enter a 14-day self-quarantine. If symptoms develop, diagnostic testing will be conducted. Those subject to self-quarantine among U.S. arrivals, like those from Europe, will not receive living support allowances.

Short-term foreign visitors can enter the country if they test negative in diagnostic tests conducted at the airport (facility). After entry, enhanced active monitoring will be applied.

Yoon said, "We will continuously monitor the number of confirmed cases among arrivals from the U.S. Going forward, if the risk level increases, we plan to consider diagnostic testing for all arrivals from the U.S."

Meanwhile, as of 0:00 today, 51 out of 100 new confirmed cases were imported cases. Among the imported cases identified at the quarantine stage, there were 34 cases, including 28 Korean nationals and 6 foreigners. Imported cases confirmed in the local community numbered 17, with 15 Koreans and 2 foreigners.

◇Below is a Q&A with Yoon regarding the strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from the U.S.

- What if asymptomatic arrivals from the U.S. do not undergo diagnostic testing within 3 days during self-quarantine?

▲ I understand that there are legal measures if testing is not done. I will confirm this and provide more details. Even if there are no legal sanctions, since asymptomatic individuals may test positive during self-quarantine, we strongly recommend that they get tested within 3 days for their own safety and health.

- Europe requires universal testing for arrivals, while the U.S. arrivals are subject to self-quarantine. At what rate of confirmed cases among U.S. arrivals would universal testing be considered?

▲ Currently, the risk levels differ between Europe and the U.S. In the third week of March, the number of confirmed cases per 10,000 arrivals from Europe was 86.4, while in the fourth week of March, the number for U.S. arrivals was 28.5. Although there is a one-week difference, the spread in Europe progressed more rapidly.

The number of confirmed cases among U.S. arrivals is showing a continuous upward trend because the incidence rate in the U.S. itself is increasing. When these figures reach a level similar to Europe, we plan to apply a second stage of universal testing for self-quarantined U.S. arrivals.

- Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said today that self-quarantine should be required for all arrivals. Is there a plan to implement this?

▲ We are reviewing whether to apply such measures to other countries besides Europe and the U.S. based on risk assessments. Currently, although it is not legally mandated, self-quarantine is recommended for all arrivals from abroad. Work exclusion is also recommended for these individuals. We will monitor the situation abroad and the status of confirmed cases among arrivals domestically and will announce any additional quarantine strengthening measures and self-quarantine policies accordingly.