Due to the Spread of Omicron, Businesses Also 'Proceed with Caution'... Avoiding Year-End Gatherings and Business Trips

On the 2nd, when the morning temperature in Seoul dropped to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, a medical staff member at the screening clinic set up at Gangseo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is enduring the cold with a hot pack. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] As the government has decided to quarantine all overseas arrivals for ten days over the next two weeks to prevent additional inflow of the Omicron variant, the business community is also showing signs of refraining from business trips.

According to the business community on the 2nd, Hyundai Motor Company emphasized compliance with quarantine rules to its employees and urged them to reconsider or refrain from business trips to Europe, where the Omicron variant is spreading, and other countries with Omicron variant cases. GS Group is also reportedly reviewing internally to strengthen restrictions on overseas business trips as COVID-19 cases surge.

SK Group had allowed overseas business trips approved by team leaders after the With-Corona policy, but since it was implemented with executive approval during the severe COVID-19 spread, there is a possibility of changes following the government's response guidelines announced on the 3rd. Electronics companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are maintaining the relaxed internal quarantine guidelines from early last month, but internal guidelines may be strengthened depending on the government's level of quarantine reinforcement.

From 0:00 on the 3rd to 24:00 on the 16th, all domestic and foreign nationals entering from all countries must quarantine for 10 days. Quarantine will be enforced regardless of vaccination status. The quarantine exemption system will be minimally approved, limited to attending funerals or official duties.