[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] As cases of the COVID-19 variant virus originating from India have been detected domestically, the government has suspended the operation of flights from India. If cases of infection with the Indian variant virus continue to be found, additional quarantine measures will also be implemented.
On the 25th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "From the 24th, we have temporarily suspended the operation approval of irregular flights from India," adding, "Measures such as limiting the boarding rate are also being taken even in cases where the purpose is to transport Korean nationals." Currently, there are no regular flights from India to Korea, only irregular flights. Without government approval, irregular flights cannot enter the country.
Son explained, "We are continuously monitoring the proportion of the Indian variant among all variant viruses," and added, "If an increasing trend is observed, we will consider additional strengthened quarantine measures."
So far, there have been a total of nine confirmed cases of the Indian variant virus infection in Korea. Accordingly, since the 13th, the government has lowered the fever screening criterion for arrivals from India from 37.5 degrees Celsius to 37.3 degrees Celsius. If a symptomatic case is detected, diagnostic testing will be conducted for all passengers, including companions.
Since the 21st, quarantine measures have been further strengthened to require all arrivals, regardless of COVID-19 symptoms, to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at the airport or government facilities upon entry.
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