On 1 Dec 2021, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) declared that everyone travelling to South Korea will have to be quarantined for 10 days regardless of vaccination status. This new rule comes in light of the Omicron variant, which has reportedly been detected in five people in South Korea so far.
The 10-day quarantine will begin on 3 Dec, Friday and last for two weeks. Inbound travellers who are staying long-term in South Korea will be allowed to quarantine at home. Foreigners and short-term travellers will have to quarantine at a government-designated facility.
Aside from this, all inbound travellers to South Korea will be tested for the Omicron variant. This new variant is still in the process of being observed and studied by WHO and other medical experts. Initial reports from WHO claim that those who have previously contracted COVID-19 are more prone to acquire the variant. Studies are still too limited to say things for certain, but it’s always better to have preventive measures in place.
So far, only Singapore leisure travellers are affected by this new protocol, aside from returning Korean residents. Singapore and South Korea started a VTL in November, read more about how to travel via the VTL here.
Featured image credit: Minseok K | Unsplash