[What Do You Think?] Two-Week Self-Quarantine for Overseas Arrivals

"Time and Cost Are a Waste" vs "Premature to Shorten the Period"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Kim (45, female), a Korean residing in Baden-W?rttemberg, Germany, recently rushed to Korea ahead of her elderly mother's eye surgery. Kim wanted to care for her mother, who has eye discomfort, as soon as possible, but she is frustrated due to the government's mandatory '14-day self-quarantine.' Kim said, "I went to the public health center immediately upon arrival in Korea to get tested for COVID-19, and the next day I was confirmed 'negative,' but I can't do anything for 14 days," expressing, "My mother has eye problems, and I need to be her hands and feet, so it breaks my heart."

Lee (40, male), a Korean who recently entered the country with his family from the United States, is also experiencing inconvenience due to the 14-day self-quarantine. He must submit a certificate of entry and exit to transfer his child to an elementary school, but it is impossible to obtain it while in quarantine. Lee said, "Adults can get entry and exit certificates online through Minwon24, but minors cannot," adding, "In the end, my younger sibling got it on my behalf, but it is inconvenient."

According to the government's self-quarantine guidelines on the 18th, all overseas arrivals are required to undergo testing and 14 days of self-quarantine. However, unlike Korea, some countries are easing self-quarantine standards. On the 12th, France shortened the self-quarantine period from 14 days to 7 days when exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case. This measure considers experts' analysis that infectivity weakens after 5 days of infection and public convenience. Switzerland and Norway have a 10-day self-quarantine period. Germany also mandates self-quarantine only for travelers from high-risk countries. For example, Germany does not classify Korea as a high-risk country, so Korean arrivals do not need to self-quarantine.

The government plans to maintain the 14-day self-quarantine as confirmed cases continue to occur amid a steady increase in overseas arrivals. According to the Ministry of Justice, on the 16th, there were 4,133 overseas arrivals, maintaining the 4,000 range over the past week. The number of overseas confirmed cases in the past week (September 11?17) was 107, showing double digits daily. Professor Jung Jin-won of the Infectious Diseases Department at Chung-Ang University Hospital said, "The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 14 days," adding, "Since overseas inflow is increasing recently, it is advisable to maintain the policy for the time being."

The quarantine authorities are deliberating. Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "We are maintaining the 14-day self-quarantine to block transmission from overseas arrivals due to concerns about the incubation period and asymptomatic infections," adding, "However, if the epidemic situation changes or the risk level of each country changes, we will continue to supplement and review the self-quarantine period and testing targets accordingly."

Meanwhile, on the 18th, 126 new COVID-19 cases were reported. Domestic community infections numbered 109, down from 145 the previous day but still in the triple digits, while cases suspected to be imported increased nearly twofold to 17 from 8 the day before.