Temporary Quarantine Facility Utilization Rate for Arrivals from China at 17.5%... "Efforts to Secure More"

Preparation of Preliminary Facilities for 134 People in Seoul and Gyeonggi
Submission of Negative Test Certificate Before Entry from the 5th
"Demand for Temporary Facilities Expected to Decrease"

On the afternoon of the 2nd, when mandatory COVID-19 testing for arrivals from China began, passengers from China were waiting to enter at Incheon Airport. From this day forward, all arrivals from China must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As one in five arrivals from China tested positive for COVID-19, raising concerns about a shortage of temporary quarantine facilities, health authorities have begun securing additional facilities.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 4th, "We are making efforts to secure additional rooms by arranging hotels near Incheon Airport," adding, "We have secured 13 facilities with a capacity for 134 people in Seoul and Gyeonggi as backup facilities to prepare for confirmed cases' admission."

Currently, health authorities operate two temporary quarantine facilities near Incheon Airport with a capacity for 160 people. As of the 2nd, among 61 confirmed cases arriving from China, 35 are quarantined at the homes of guardians, and 28 are admitted to facilities, resulting in an occupancy rate of 17.5%. If a domestic resident or long-term resident with a domestic address, referred to as a 'guardian,' guarantees home quarantine for short-term residents, quarantine at the guardian's address is permitted.

The CDSCH explained, "Starting from the 5th, if passengers boarding flights from China present a pre-obtained PCR negative certificate, the demand for temporary quarantine facilities is expected to decrease significantly."