South Korea: Officials to ease quarantine measures for fully vaccinated travelers from March 21 /update 1

Event

From March 21, South Korea will lift a seven-day quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers who have their vaccination history registered on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)'s COOV mobile application. From April 1, the quarantine exemption will be extended to fully vaccinated passengers inoculated abroad who do not have their vaccination history registered on the COOV application. However, the exemption will not apply to travelers from Myanmar, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. South Korea considers a person fully vaccinated if they received a booster or completed two doses of the vaccine 14-180 days ago.

Additionally, foreign travelers may use public transportation to reach their residence from the airport from April 1. The government currently requires passengers to use their own vehicle or designated buses, trains, or taxis instead of public transport.

Domestic Measures
Gatherings are limited to six people nationwide. Dine-in and most entertainment facilities, including casinos and gaming centers, must close by 23:00; the rule also applies to performance and cinema halls. Most schools can only function at two-thirds capacity. Events are limited to 49 people if any participants are unvaccinated and up to 299 for fully vaccinated people. Train operators may only sell limited tickets while ferries are encouraged to limit passenger capacity to 50 percent. Additionally, close contacts and cohabiting family members of COVID-19 patients are no longer required to undergo compulsory self-isolation. However, authorities recommend cohabiting family members take a PCR test within three days of the patient testing positive, and conduct a rapid antigen test on the seventh day or last day of their family member's self-isolation period.

Facemasks are mandatory in public places, indoor public areas, and on public transport. Public places like food establishments are no longer required to enforce mandatory contact tracing and vaccine or PCR test entry requirements. The government has asked businesses to employ telecommuting, staggered shifts, and virtual meetings to the extent possible. Commercial disruptions are possible at any establishment that violates COVID-19-related rules or where outbreaks occur. Several major industrial plants and offices have also temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19. Provincial and city governments may adjust curbs based on local COVID-19 activity.

International Travel Restrictions
South Korea permits entry for residents, including long-term visa holders. Visa-free and visa-waiver programs with most countries remain suspended; however, travelers from the EU and Schengen countries can enter without a visa for 90 days. Inbound passengers must present evidence of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure; exceptions are possible for children under age six, as well as South Korean nationals traveling for humanitarian reasons or who have tested positive for COVID-19 between ten and 40 days prior to their flight, 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. Most foreign residents must obtain permits before departing South Korea to facilitate any planned re-entry. Additionally, outh Korean nationals are prohibited from traveling to areas in Russia and Belarus that border Ukraine from March 8 amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Permitted inbound international travelers must quarantine for seven days, regardless of vaccination status. From March 21, fully vaccinated travelers that have their vaccination history registered on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)'s COOV mobile application are exempt from quarantine. The quarantine exemption will be extended to fully vaccinated passengers inoculated abroad who do not have their vaccination history registered on the COOV application from April 1. Entrants from Saipan and Singapore under travel bubble arrangements are exempt from quarantine. Nonresidents must quarantine at designated facilities at their own expense and undergo rapid antigen tests on days six and seven of arrival. Returning citizens, long-term residents, and some relatives of these groups can self-quarantine, except if from designated high-risk countries. Travelers eligible for self-quarantine must use their own vehicle or designated buses, trains, or taxis instead of public transport to reach their residence, though authorities will no longer require travelers to do so from April 1.

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

Ministry of Health and Welfare COVID-19