"No COVID-19 Test Before Entry"... Aviation Industry 'Rejoices'

On the 29th, the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport is bustling with passengers. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The government’s decision to abolish COVID-19 testing for people entering Korea from overseas has been welcomed by the aviation industry. Since pre-entry COVID-19 tests had been a financial burden, this move is expected to help recover international passenger demand.

On the 31st, Lee Ki-il, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, "From 0:00 on September 3rd, all domestic and foreign nationals arriving in Korea by air or sea will no longer be required to submit a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test certificate."

However, PCR testing within one day after entry will still be maintained. Lee explained, "Please understand that this is the minimum measure to block overseas variant strains."

Currently, all entrants to Korea must submit a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before entry or a professional rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 hours. Additionally, they must take a PCR test within one day after entry.

The aviation industry has argued that submitting a negative test certificate was an obstacle to expanding overseas travel, due to the inconvenience of visiting hospitals abroad and the associated costs.

The industry has expressed a welcoming stance toward the abolition of pre-entry COVID-19 testing. They expect it will help recover air travel demand. An aviation industry official said, "We welcome the government’s measures to normalize overseas travel and expect that this will further restore demand for overseas travel."

A low-cost carrier (LCC) official also emphasized, "We welcome the abolition of the pre-entry PCR test, which had been an obstacle to the actual recovery of international air travel demand. As airlines continue to expand international routes, we hope this will ignite the recovery of the domestic aviation industry."