South Korea: Authorities to gradually reopen schools as of May 13 /update 20

Event

South Korean authorities announced on Monday, May 4, that schools will start reopening in the country from Wednesday, May 13, after holding online classes for several weeks due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. High school students will be the first to go back to school on May 13, followed by younger pupils who will gradually return between Wednesday, May 20, and Monday, June 1. The wearing of facemasks will be compulsory for all returning pupils and teachers, who will also be required to implement social-distancing measures and wipe their desks regularly. Guidelines and mock drills will be conducted in order to plan for a potential upsurge of COVID-19 infections.

South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on Sunday, May 3, that some social-distancing measures would be relaxed further. Commencing on Wednesday, May 6, the government plans to allow some businesses to resume operations at facilities that remained closed as of Sunday, and will allow gatherings and events to take place as long as social-distancing guidelines are followed. The exact guidelines were not immediately made clear.

The temporary suspension of visa-free entry and visa-waiver programs for countries with entry bans on South Koreans remains in effect until further notice. Separately, bars and clubs in Seoul remain closed following the discovery of a cluster of COVID-19 infections linked to a bar in Gangnam district on Wednesday, April 8.

All inbound passengers to South Korea continue to be required to undertake a 14-day mandatory quarantine period. Short-term travelers are required to remain in quarantine at their own expense at a government-mandated facility. Long-term travelers and residents are required to self-quarantine at their own residences. Any passengers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are required to undergo testing for the disease upon their arrival at the airport. Individuals traveling for diplomatic, business, humanitarian, or academic reasons may be exempt from the quarantine requirements but must obtain a preapproved waiver from a Korean embassy or consulate. The quarantine measures do not apply to passengers transiting through Incheon International Airport (IIA), but such travelers are subject to a temperature screening and health questionnaire.

As of May 4, authorities have confirmed 10,801 cases of COVID-19 in the country, as well as 252 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone non-essential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.