Prime Minister Jeong: "Additional Designation of Countries with COVID-19 Risks for Strengthened Quarantine Measures"

"Enhanced Quarantine Measures to Be Applied, Including Visa Restrictions and Flight Controls"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 15th, "The government will decide to additionally designate countries with increased risk of overseas inflow as countries subject to strengthened quarantine measures," adding, "The additionally designated countries will be subject to enhanced quarantine measures such as visa restrictions, control of flight operations, and submission of negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificates."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide continues to rise, surpassing 230,000 cases per day, setting a new record."

He pointed out, "As a result, the risk of overseas inflow is gradually increasing in our country as well," and added, "In the past ten days, the proportion of confirmed cases from overseas inflow has been higher than that of domestic cases."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "At this time, the focus of quarantine should be on minimizing sporadic domestic infections while actively blocking the increasing overseas inflow," and noted, "As overseas inflow increases, it not only places a heavy burden on our quarantine and medical systems but also heightens public anxiety."

He stressed, "We will also strengthen management regarding overseas inflow through foreign crew members who have been frequently entering recently." He added, "For entrants for the purpose of crew changes, the visa-free entry system will be temporarily suspended, and submission of PCR negative test certificates will be made mandatory," urging, "Quarantine authorities and related ministries should ensure thorough follow-up measures so that these can be promptly implemented on site."

Prime Minister Chung evaluated, "In the past few days, confirmed cases from small church gatherings have significantly decreased," and said, "Although it is too early to make a definitive judgment, this is the result of most churches following the government's quarantine guidelines well."

Regarding the heavy rain in the Chungcheong and southern regions, he said, "A village chief and residents who were maintaining village waterways during the heavy rain were swept away by the rapid current and lost their precious lives," expressing, "I offer my condolences to the deceased and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families."

He continued, "Heavy monsoon rains are expected again around the weekend," and instructed, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, related ministries, and local governments should once again inspect areas at risk of damage and thoroughly prepare to prevent any loss of life."