South Korea: Additional transport and business controls planned in Seoul December 5-19; other countrywide COVID-19 controls continue; new measures likely /update 43

Event

Authorities have announced additional controls in Seoul and maintained nationwide preventative measures amid an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity in the country. From Dec. 5, many classes of businesses in Seoul, including department stores, private schools, and entertainment facilities, will be required to close at 2100 daily. Furthermore, municipal authorities in Seoul will reduce evening bus services to 70 percent of normal operations after 2100 daily from Dec. 5; evening subway services will similarly be reduced from Dec. 8. Authorities have requested residents to avoid all social gatherings and nonessential outings. Schools in Seoul have suspended in-person classes. The enhanced restrictions in Seoul are set to continue through at least Dec. 19, but control measures in the city may be further enhanced or extended in the coming days.

Officials plan to maintain the nationwide alert at Level 1.5 through Dec. 14 due to rising COVID-19 activity. Under Level 1.5 restrictions, authorities ban gatherings larger than 100 people at demonstrations, large concerts, academic conferences, and other "high-risk" activities. However, some events of more than 500 people can occur if organizers inform local officials and ensure social distancing measures. The government restricts the capacity of "priority" entertainment businesses, such as nightclubs, karaoke bars, standing concert halls, and restaurants and cafes, to one person per four square meters (43 square feet). Patrons cannot move between seats at affected establishments, and restaurants must either maintain at least one meter (3.2 feet) between tables or install barriers between tables. Authorities are also limiting capacity and requiring social distancing at movie theaters, seated concert halls, funeral homes, wedding venues, private academies, and amusement parks, among others. Capacity is limited to 30 percent at sporting and religious venues. Officials will also limit students at nationwide schools to two-thirds of capacity. Further nationwide restrictions may be introduced at short notice.

Authorities plan to maintain the alert for Greater Seoul, including Gyeonggi Province, at Level 2, the third-highest tier, through Dec. 7. Level-2 restrictions have also been imposed in Busan and Jeonju, Gunsan, Iksan, and Iseo township in Jeollabuk Province. Under Level 2, officials limit gatherings to 100 people or less. Cafes can only offer takeaway and delivery services. Restaurants can only host patrons until 2100 daily; takeaway and delivery service can continue. High-risk entertainment facilities, including nightclubs and bars, must close. Indoor sporting venues must also close at 2100, and capacity at sporting events is 10 percent. Government offices and publicly owned companies will reduce staff to 30 percent. Authorities will only allow one-third of students at most government schools; two-thirds of students can attend high school.

Individuals are still required to wear protective facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at any large gathering events, including protests. Officials will issue a fine of KRW 100,000 (USD 87) for individuals not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks. High-risk businesses are required to participate in a contact tracing-system requiring personnel to scan a quick response (QR) code before allowing patrons to enter establishments. Owners can manually record contact information if necessary. Businesses must also enforce facemask requirements on their premises. Officials could suspend operations or issue fines of up to KRW 3 million (USD 2,500) for companies violating the order. Temporary business closures are likely to occur at any establishments where employees or patrons test positive for COVID-19. Several major industrial plants and offices have temporarily closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19; further disruptions are likely at facilities where outbreaks occur.

Officials continue to ban cruise ships from docking at ports in the country, including Jeju. Busan requires ships from Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Uzbekistan entering Gamcheon Port to use the QR code system to enhance contact tracing for crew members. Korean air carriers are gradually resuming flight operations, but service remains limited. International flight disruptions are likely to continue amid decreased demand.

US Forces Korea (USFK) is maintaining the Health Protection Condition (HPCON) at Bravo, the second-lowest level for the country. However, officials have banned travel to Area II, including Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and some of Gyeonggi Province, for personnel stationed in other areas. Official duties are exempt from the restriction. Officials are conducting health checks for all personnel at entrance points. Personnel remain barred from entering high-risk establishments across the country.

Travel Restrictions
Visa-free and visa-waiver programs remain suspended with countries that have banned entry for South Korean citizens. Long-term visa holders resident in South Korea must obtain permits before departing the country and present medical screenings with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before re-entry. Authorities have suspended visa-free entry for foreign sailors, who must obtain visas and provide a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued within 48 hours before departure to enter the country. The government is limiting visas and flight capacity for passengers from Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. Officials also require a medical certificate confirming that inbound travelers received a negative PCR COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of departure. Diplomats and people on urgent business travel from these high-risk countries are exempt from the restriction.

Authorities allow "fast track" entry for essential business trips and official travel from Singapore, mainland China, Japan, UAE, and Indonesia. Under the agreements, inbound travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 71-96 hours, depending on the country, and a health certificate. Travelers must also take another COVID-19 test upon arrival, await the result before entering South Korea, and continue to abide by health surveillance procedures.

Most incoming travelers must undergo COVID-19 testing within three days of arrival. Mandatory screenings are ongoing for international arrivals at all ports of entry nationwide, and testing is almost certain for symptomatic passengers. Authorities in Seoul require all inbound passengers remaining in the city to undergo COVID-19 tests upon arrival. Officials will screen travelers with COVID-19 symptoms immediately and transport other passengers from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Seoul's designated testing facilities. A 14-day self-quarantine requirement remains in place for all international travelers, regardless of testing outcomes. Officials will quarantine foreigners who do not have a residence in South Korea at government facilities at the traveler's expense.

Context

South Korea introduced its five-tier social distancing regulation to better target the spread of COVID-19 Nov. 7. Authorities tailor restrictions - from Level 1 to Level 3 in half-point increments - based on COVID-19 activity in seven geographic zones across the country. In Level 2, authorities will limit gatherings to 100 people nationwide and shut down restaurants from 2100 daily, except for takeaway and delivery services. The government will further restrict groups to 50 people and shut down multi-use, crowded facilities from 2100 daily in Level 2.5. Under Level 3, the highest level, officials will request people to stay at home, restrict gatherings to 10 people or fewer, and close most facilities.

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.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ministry of Health and Welfare