South Korea: Authorities tighten gathering limits, other COVID-19 restrictions nationwide from July 19 /update 66

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Authorities will further intensify restrictions in South Korea amid ongoing elevated COVID-19 activity as of July 19. Officials have banned gatherings of more than four people nationwide until Aug. 1; the government recommends that local authorities not count fully vaccinated people in gathering totals, though variation is likely. Even tighter gathering limits will continue in Greater Seoul. The government also enhanced controls in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, to Level 4. In Greater Seoul and Gangneung, officials prevent groups of more than two people from 18:00 daily. Businesses, except manufacturers, must reduce on-site workers by 30 percent. Restaurants can only service dine-in customers until 22:00. Entertainment businesses, including nightclubs and pubs, will remain closed, and spectators cannot attend sporting events. Authorities are implementing Level-3 measures on Jeju Island. Officials limit public gatherings to 50 people and capacity at religious and sporting venues to 20 percent. Employers with more than 50 workers must facilitate staggered commuting and lunchtimes; officials recommend up to 20 percent of staff telecommute.

Most of South Korea remains under Level 2. Public gatherings can occur with up to 100 people. Companies with more than 300 employees must implement staggered commuting and break times; officials recommend up to 10 percent of staff telecommute, if possible. Most nonessential and entertainment businesses must close at 23:59 daily; capacity is limited to one person per eight square meters (86 square feet) at indoor venues. However, exhibitions can occur, with a capacity limited to one person per six square meters (64 square feet). Sporting events can take place at 30-percent capacity for indoor stadiums and 50-percent capacity at outdoor stadiums. Provincial and city governments can adjust measures at any level based on local COVID-19 activity, and many governments further restrict private groups and event capacity below the nationwide thresholds. Officials continue to implement Level-4 measures in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, through at least July 25.

Sejong and North Jeolla, South Joella, and North Gyeongsang remain under Level-1 restrictions, which permit private gatherings of any size and public groups of up to 500 people. Businesses can operate without any time restrictions provided they adhere to social distancing requirements; indoor fitness facilities can operate at one person per four square meters (43 square feet). Outdoor sporting events can occur at 70 percent capacity.

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. However, officials no longer require people that have received one vaccine dose to wear a facemask outdoors; the measure does not apply to Jeju or Greater Seoul. Additionally, officials will not count fully vaccinated individuals in capacity and gathering limits.

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. The government has tightened punishments for companies violating COVID-19 directives, and officials will close non-compliant businesses for 10 days from the first infraction. Authorities could shut companies for 20 days and three months for the second and third violations, respectively. Fines are also possible. Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19. Commercial disruptions are possible at any establishment that authorities deem in breach of COVID-19 rules or 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 PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure; passengers from the Philippines and Nepal must take tests at approved facilities. South Korea will require all inbound passengers to present evidence of a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure from July 15. Officials will ban most travelers without tests; exceptions are possible for children under age six and South Korean nationals with a humanitarian COVID-19 quarantine exemption.

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 at Incheon International Airport (ICN) or designated testing facilities; travelers must await test results before continuing their journey. 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. Authorities 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. Arrivals from India must undergo seven days of quarantine at government facilities, followed by seven days of self-quarantine. 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.

The government exempts people fully vaccinated in South Korea from quarantine requirements, provided they test negative for COVID-19. Officials also permit quarantine-free entry for arrivals fully vaccinated abroad, but entry remains limited to individuals visiting family or for business, academic, or public interest purposes. Permitted passengers must still undergo COVID-19 testing before departure and upon arrival. The government does not permit quarantine-free travel from 21 countries, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, and Bangladesh. Authorities also allow unvaccinated people for essential business and official trips to apply for quarantine-free entry. In addition to pre-departure testing, these travelers must undergo COVID-19 testing in-country and abide by health surveillance procedures.

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