South Korea: Authorities amend pre-departure testing requirements for arrivals from May 23 /update 90

Event

South Korea will amend testing requirements for inbound air passengers effective May 23. Travelers may present evidence of a negative rapid antigen or PCR test result taken at a clinic or hospital within 24 and 48 hours respectively before departure. Individuals arriving by sea must continue to present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure. The government will also resume issuing short-term travel visas and e-visas for foreign tourists from June 1, and extend the current seven-day quarantine requirement for COVID-19 patients through June 20.

Domestic Measures
Officials have lifted all social distancing measures. Limits on private gatherings and business hours are no longer in effect. Facemasks are mandatory in indoor public areas and on public transport. Individuals no longer need to wear a facemask in outdoor public areas, except for gatherings or events with more than 50 people. Public places like food establishments are no longer required to limit business hours or enforce mandatory contact tracing and vaccine or PCR test entry requirements. 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.

International Travel Restrictions
South Korea permits entry for residents, including long-term visa holders. Visa-free and visa-waiver programs have resumed for some countries and territories; an updated list of permitted locations is available here. The government will resume issuing short-term travel visas and e-visas for foreign tourists from June 1. From May 23, inbound air passengers may present evidence of a negative rapid antigen or PCR test result taken within 24 and 48 hours respectively before departure. Individuals arriving by sea must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 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 10 and 40 days before their flight, among others. Arrivals are subject to mandatory screenings at points of entry. Travelers take a PCR test on arrival and a rapid antigen test on day six or seven. Most foreign residents must obtain permits before departing South Korea to facilitate any planned re-entry. South Korean nationals are prohibited from traveling to areas in Russia and Belarus that border Ukraine.

Permitted inbound international travelers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for seven days. Most fully vaccinated entrants who have registered on the Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code) website may enter without quarantine. South Korea considers a person fully vaccinated if they received a booster or completed two doses of the vaccine 14-180 days before departure. Fully vaccinated entrants from Myanmar, Pakistan, and Ukraine must still quarantine for seven days.

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. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Ministry of Health and Welfare COVID-19
Quarantine COVID19 Defence (Q-Code)