Chinese Media React Positively to South Korea's Quarantine Exemption for Recipients of Chinese Vaccines

Reflecting Trust in Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac Vaccines by the Korean Government
Atmosphere in China Remains Cautious About Quarantine Exemptions

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media welcomed the South Korean government's exemption from self-quarantine for overseas vaccine recipients. This is because Chinese-made Sinopharm and Sinovac were included in the COVID-19 quarantine exemption vaccines.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 16th that South Korea is the first country to exempt travelers vaccinated with Sinopharm and Sinovac, officially approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), from mandatory quarantine. The media also evaluated this South Korean government measure as a "good progress" for mutual vaccine recognition and a reflection of the South Korean government's trust in Chinese vaccines.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The COVID-19 vaccines exempted from quarantine include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca (AZ), Sinopharm, and Sinovac.

A Chinese immunologist said, "If this policy is well implemented in South Korea, China can refer to it when adjusting its entry management policies."

However, considering that many parts of the world are still suffering from COVID-19, there are opinions that caution is needed in implementing mutual vaccine recognition early.

Feng Duojia, chairman of the China Vaccine Industry Association, said, "No vaccine can prevent COVID-19 100%," and added, "China will probably continue to implement strict quarantine policies for quite some time."

The Global Times forecasted that besides South Korea, Thailand is reducing the quarantine period from 14 days to 7 days for recipients of eight vaccines including Sinovac and Sinopharm, and more countries will show trust in Chinese vaccines.