"Overseas Arrivals, Enter 'Q Code' Before Boarding the Plane"

With the Abolition of Pre-Entry Testing Obligations, Post-Entry PCR Management Becomes More Important

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The quarantine authorities have urged overseas arrivals to pre-enter their quarantine information through the Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System (Q-Code) before boarding the aircraft. This measure follows the abolition of the mandatory COVID-19 test before entry starting from the 3rd, making post-entry testing management more important.

The National Incheon Airport Quarantine Station explained on the 6th, "Using the Q-Code allows for efficient COVID-19 response for overseas arrivals through data storage and transmission methods, enabling faster quarantine procedures."

Overseas arrivals can easily register their Day 1 post-entry PCR test results via the Q-Code. The quarantine authorities can also take quick action to prevent further spread by using the data-based PCR test results during epidemiological investigations when confirmed cases occur among overseas arrivals, such as identifying passengers seated near the confirmed case and the relevant local governments.

By using the Q-Code, information such as the address and phone number entered by overseas arrivals is automatically transmitted to local governments, making the quarantine process three times faster than paper-based quarantine that requires separate information input.

The Incheon Airport Quarantine Station emphasized that, as the number of overseas arrivals is expected to increase, it is necessary to enter quarantine information into the Q-Code before boarding the aircraft.

To this end, they plan to promote the use of the Q-Code to travelers departing before Chuseok and request airlines and travel agencies to verify pre-entry input before boarding.

Additionally, starting this month, they plan to pilot a method of conducting quarantine investigations using only the Q-Code for some flights and consider gradually expanding this approach.