South Korea: Authorities extend existing COVID-19 restrictions through June 13 /update 60

Event

South Korea has extended current domestic restrictions through June 13 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Nonessential public gatherings of more than four people remain banned nationwide; officials permit groups of up to eight direct family members. The government requires individuals to wear facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at large gatherings. Authorities may fine people not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks up to KRW 100,000 (USD 89). Level 1.5 restrictions, the second-lowest tier, will remain in effect for most areas of the country. Under the Level 1.5 restrictions, the size of public events, such as sports competitions and religious gatherings, is capped at 30-percent capacity.

Level 2 restrictions will continue in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. Local governments in other major cities may also impose Level 2 controls; the measures remain in effect for Busan until at least May 23. Under the Level 2 restrictions, authorities limit private events to 100 people, and public venues may operate at 10 percent of capacity. Entertainment businesses, cafes, restaurants, and fitness centers must close by 22:00; the central government has empowered local officials to reduce operating hours to 21:00 depending on COVID-19 activity. The central government has also advised entertainment businesses in Level 2 areas to close; however, affected companies may stay open with local officials' permission if they promise to adhere to social distancing requirements strictly.

High-risk businesses must participate in a contact-tracing system requiring patrons to produce a quick response (QR) code for scanning before entering designated establishments. Companies can manually record contact information if necessary. Businesses must also enforce facemask requirements on their premises. Companies violating these directives may be closed for up to two weeks or fined up to KRW 3 million (USD 2,659). Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; commercial disruptions are possible at any establishment where outbreaks occur.

Travel Restrictions
South Korea continues to suspend visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries that have banned entry for South Korean citizens and travelers with short-term visas issued before April 5, 2020. South Korean residents, including long-term visa holders, can enter the country. Most foreign residents must obtain permits before departing South Korea to facilitate any planned re-entry. All permitted foreign nationals must submit a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure; passengers from the Philippines and Nepal must take tests at approved facilities. South Koreans traveling from African nations, the UK, and Brazil should submit a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country. Flights from India remain suspended.

Authorities allow "fast track" entry for essential business trips and official travel from mainland China, Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In addition to pre-departure testing, fast-track travelers must take another COVID-19 test upon arrival, await the result before entering South Korea, and abide by health surveillance procedures.

Mandatory screenings are ongoing for arrivals at ports of entry nationwide. Authorities in Seoul require all inbound passengers remaining in the city to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival. Officials will screen travelers with COVID-19 symptoms immediately and transport other passengers from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Seoul's designated testing facilities. Most international travelers must quarantine for 14 days upon entry. South Korean nationals, long-term residents, and some relatives of these groups can self-quarantine in their residence. Other travelers must quarantine at government-designated facilities at their own expense. The government will exempt fully vaccinated people from quarantine requirements, provided they received their doses in South Korea and test negative for COVID-19. Authorities will require travelers from most African nations, the UK, and Brazil to quarantine at government facilities for two days and one night and undergo two COVID-19 tests before moving to self-quarantine for 14 days. Travelers from South Africa and Tanzania must quarantine at government facilities for 14 days. Officials will subsidize quarantine costs for South Korean nationals and foreign long-term visa holders traveling from these countries if they submit COVID-19 test results before departure. Returning citizens that do not submit COVID-19 test results before entry and short-term foreign travelers must pay quarantine fees. Authorities will ban foreign travelers from both countries if they do not provide COVID-19 test results before departure.

Officials continue to ban cruise ships from docking at ports in the country. Busan requires vessels carrying seafarers who are nationals of or have a travel history to Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Uzbekistan Gamcheon Port to use the QR code system for contact tracing upon entry.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers. Plan for possible ground shipping and travel delays; seek alternative routes and shipping methods for time-sensitive cargo.

Resources

Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ministry of Health and Welfare