South Korea: Officials extend restrictions nationwide through Oct. 3 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity /update 71

Event

South Korean officials have extended restrictions nationwide through at least Oct. 3 due to ongoing COVID-19 activity. Most of the country remains under Level-3 controls, the second-highest level. While a nationwide ban on gatherings of more than four people remains in place, the government will permit private gatherings of up to eight in most locations, provided four of the participants are fully vaccinated. In most parts of the country, individuals who have received at least one vaccine do not need to wear a facemask, except on public transportation, indoor public areas, and large gatherings.

Employers with more than 50 workers must facilitate staggered commuting and lunchtimes; officials recommend up to 20 percent of staff telecommute. Most nonessential and entertainment businesses may operate until 22:00 daily, provided they adhere to certain protocols, including capacity limits. Provincial and city governments can adjust curbs based on local COVID-19 activity.

Officials will maintain Level-4 controls, the highest level, in Greater Seoul, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. Additional localities may also implement the Level-4 controls. Authorities will increase the limit for each gathering to six people, provided two group members are fully vaccinated before 18:00 daily, or four people are fully vaccinated after 18:00. Officials will permit family or restaurant gatherings of up to eight people during the Chuseok holiday Sept. 17-23 if half the group is fully vaccinated. The government has also extended operating hours at restaurants to 22:00.

High-risk businesses nationwide 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. The government will close non-compliant businesses for 10 days after a first infraction. 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 violates COVID-19-related rules or where outbreaks occur.

Travel Restrictions
South Korean residents, including long-term visa holders, can enter the country. Visa-free and visa-waiver programs remain suspended with most countries that have banned entry for South Korean citizens and travelers with short-term visas issued before April 5, 2020. Most foreign residents must obtain permits before departing South Korea to facilitate any planned re-entry. Authorities allow travelers from the European Union (EU) and Schengen countries to enter South Korea without a visa for 90 days. Inbound passengers must present evidence of a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure; exceptions are possible for children under age six and South Korean nationals for humanitarian reasons, among others. Arrivals are subject to mandatory screenings at points of entry. Authorities in Seoul require inbound passengers remaining in the city to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival; travelers must await test results before continuing their journey.

Most entrants must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. South Korean nationals, long-term residents, and some relatives of these groups can self-quarantine, while nonresidents must quarantine at designated facilities at their own expense. All travelers from South Africa and Tanzania must quarantine at government facilities. People who have completed COVID-19 vaccinations in South Korea, as well as individuals who have received full vaccination abroad and are visiting family or for business, academic, or public interest purposes, among others, may be exempt from the 14-day quarantine. The government does not permit quarantine-free travel from several countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa.

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 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