South Korea: Officials implementing Level-4 restrictions in Busan Aug. 10-22 due to COVID-19 /update 69

Event

Officials are enacting Level-4 controls, the highest level on the country's four-tier system, in Busan Aug. 10-22 due to high COVID-19 activity in the area. Level-4 measures are also in place in Greater Seoul, which includes Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, and Daejeon through at least Aug. 22. Officials limit groups to four people through 18:00 and two people from 18:00 daily. Most businesses can operate with various capacity limits and other protocols.

Level-3 controls, the second-highest level, remain in effect in most of South Korea through Aug 22. Authorities limit private gatherings to four people, while events and assemblies are capped at 50 participants. The central government recommends that local authorities not count fully vaccinated people in gathering totals, though local variation is likely.

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 must close at 22:00 daily with protocols, including a capacity limit of one person per eight square meters (86 square feet) at indoor venues. Exhibitions can occur at a capacity limit of one person per six square meters (64 square feet). Provincial and city governments can adjust curbs based on local COVID-19 activity.

In most parts of the country, individuals who have received at least one vaccine dose must wear facemasks on public transportation, in most public indoor areas, and at large gatherings. In high-risk areas like Greater Seoul, facemasks are mandatory regardless of vaccination status. Authorities may fine people not wearing or improperly wearing facemasks up to KRW 100,000.

High-risk businesses 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 from the first infraction, and may shut companies for 20 days and three months for the second and third violations, respectively. 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 officials consider to have breached COVID-19 rules or where outbreaks occur.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities continue to suspend visa-free and visa-waiver programs with countries that have banned entry for South Korean citizens and travelers with short-term visas issued before April 5, 2020. South Korean residents, including long-term visa holders, can enter the country. Most foreign residents must obtain permits before departing South Korea to facilitate any planned re-entry. Inbound passengers must present evidence of a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure; exceptions are possible for children under age six and South Korean nationals with a humanitarian COVID-19 quarantine exemption 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.

South Korean nationals, long-term residents, and some relatives of these groups who arrive from most locations can quarantine at their residence for 14 days. Most other international arrivals must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities at their own expense. All travelers from South Africa and Tanzania, including South Korean nationals and long-term residents, must quarantine at government facilities for 14 days. Exceptions from quarantine are possible for people who have completed vaccination 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. 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 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.

Resources

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