[Q&A] "Is self-quarantine possible in hotels? ... Only in government-designated facilities"

On the 26th, an asymptomatic foreigner who arrived on a passenger flight from London, UK, at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 is receiving guidance from a member of the Army Field Support Team before undergoing a COVID-19 diagnostic test at an outdoor open screening clinic (Open Walking Thru). Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Starting from the 1st of next month, all domestic and foreign entrants must undergo a 2-week self-quarantine, and those without a residence will be subject to facility quarantine. Domestic and foreign entrants quarantined in facilities must pay approximately 100,000 KRW per day for quarantine costs.

On the 29th, Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office, "If there is no residence or if it is inadequate, they can use quarantine facilities prepared by the government," confirming this policy.

The government plans to charge usage fees for domestic and foreign facility quarantine subjects. Director Park said, "Under the stance of paying actual costs, we are reviewing about 100,000 KRW per day, totaling around 1.4 million KRW for 2 weeks."

Currently, only entrants from Europe and the United States are self-quarantined. However, as the number of confirmed cases imported from overseas increases, from the 1st of next month, all domestic nationals and long-term foreign residents entering from all countries will, in principle, self-quarantine for 14 days after entry.

Short-term visitors, who have so far only been subject to active monitoring without self-quarantine, will also, in principle, be required to self-quarantine.

Director Park stated, "If asymptomatic cases during short stays become active or symptoms are mild, and reporting via the mobile self-diagnosis app (Ministry of Health and Welfare) is insufficient, there is a possibility of infection transmission," adding, "Except for exceptional reasons such as visits for national or public interest, all entrants will be required to self-quarantine."

◇Below is a Q&A with Director Park regarding self-quarantine for all entrants

- Will those previously admitted to facilities from Europe and the US also bear the costs?

▲ This will apply to entrants from April 1 onward. Those who stayed in facilities from the US and Europe previously did so to wait for test results. Therefore, no separate fees will be charged. Going forward, cases of staying in facilities just to wait for test results will almost disappear, as most will undergo 2-week facility quarantine or self-quarantine.

- Expanding the self-quarantine obligation to all entrants will increase the administrative burden on public health centers, right?

▲ The scope of self-quarantine tasks has already become too large for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Also, it has become practically difficult for public health centers alone in cities and provinces to respond. Therefore, personnel from all local governments are cooperating in this area. Cooperation started early on.

Although many personnel will be needed due to the strengthening of entrant self-quarantine, we have already discussed many related strengthening measures with local governments. Also, with the installation of the safety protection app, information is shared quickly, and management tasks are reduced. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will also cooperate with local governments to promptly designate dedicated officials.

- Short-term foreign visitors may have booked hotels, but can quarantine be conducted at lodging facilities?

▲ Self-quarantine is mandatory and involves quite strict activity restrictions. From that perspective, places like hotels, where access is possible and free activity is guaranteed, do not fulfill the meaning of self-quarantine. Quarantine must be conducted at government-designated facilities.

- Have sufficient accommodations been prepared to accommodate short-term foreign visitors?

▲ Within predictable ranges, sufficient facilities have been secured.