Despite COVID Resurgence, 54 Countries Ban Entry from Korea... Quarantine and Advisory Measures in 99 Countries

Slowdown in Decline Since Late Last Month Due to COVID Spread Concerns
South Korean Government Continues Comprehensive Efforts to Restore Economic Exchanges

On the 8th, when the special entry procedure for Korean and Japanese businesspeople was implemented, a travel advisory for countries with COVID-19 entry restrictions was displayed at the departure hall of Terminal 2, Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Despite the sharp increase in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, the number of countries imposing entry bans on travelers from Korea has slightly decreased. The number of countries enforcing entry bans on travelers from Korea has remained stagnant for a while after the decline in the downward trend since the end of last month.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 28th, the number of countries implementing entry bans on travelers from Korea stands at 54, down by one compared to a week ago (as of 10 a.m. on the 27th). The number of countries with entry bans had remained around 55 for some time.

New Zealand continues to enforce entry bans on travelers from Korea, and countries such as Taiwan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia are also on the list.

China has strengthened quarantine measures amid the spread of COVID-19. Since the 11th, China requires two PCR tests at two designated medical institutions within 72 hours before boarding, with each test producing a negative certificate. From the 1st of next month, travelers must undergo a first PCR test at a designated medical institution within 72 hours before boarding, and a second PCR test and antibody test within 36 hours before boarding. The PCR tests must be conducted at different medical institutions.

The number of countries imposing facility quarantine measures is counted at 10. Japan lifted entry bans on Korea and nine other countries from the 1st and adjusted the infectious disease risk information level from level 3 to level 2. The United States, Tunisia, Mauritius, Burundi, Benin, and Comoros are also included.

The number of countries implementing the most relaxed measures, such as quarantine and advisory measures, has increased to 99. This is the result of countries that had strengthened measures against travelers from Korea due to the spread of COVID-19 easing those restrictions. Countries implementing the most relaxed measures include the Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, Brazil, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

The number of countries that have lifted entry-related measures for travelers from Korea remains at 24. Although it once increased to 26, the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Europe and the clear global resurgence trend led some countries to reinstate previously lifted measures.

Countries that have lifted measures include the Netherlands, Latvia, Romania, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Portugal, Poland, and France.

The Korean government continues consultations to restore international exchanges despite the resurgence of COVID-19. On the 26th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a foreign ministers' meeting with Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, who visited Korea, discussing ways to expand fast-track channels and increase flights while maintaining quarantine measures.

On the 25th, Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who visited Myanmar, met with Soe Thein, Minister of International Cooperation of Myanmar, requesting special attention and support such as expanding entry quotas to facilitate smoother visits by Korean businesspeople and citizens to Myanmar to revitalize economic exchanges between the two countries.