Quarantines being dropped for people coming to Korea

People wait at a medical clinic in Seoul to get Covid tests on Friday. [NEWS1]

Quarantines are being dropped for vaccinated people arriving in Korea.

Starting March 21, people vaccinated in Korea and overseas will no longer have to go into seven days of quarantine after entering the country, except for four countries: Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar.

To qualify for a quarantine exemption, inbound travelers need proof of three vaccine shots, or two with the second being no more than 180 days old. People vaccinated in Korea have records in the local quarantine system. People vaccinated overseas have to send proof of vaccination to a public health center in Korea in advance of arriving.

From April 1, it will get easier for people vaccinated outside Korea. A new online system called Q-Code will be operating.

With the quarantine being dropped, so are restrictions on arrivals using public transport. From April 1, arrivals can use public transportation to leave the airport.

Some restrictions haven't changed for arrivals. PCR tests are still required for people entering Korea. They must be taken within two days of departure. Another PCR test must be taken the day after arrival at a public health center. The third test on the seventh day is still required, but it can be an antigen test starting next month. They are available at the same public health centers that offer PCR tests, like district or gu offices.

In a briefing Friday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters approved results from rapid antigen tests at medical clinics or hospitals to be used for virus-related prescriptions or treatments. Covid-19 patients with mild cases and suffering from other diseases will be treated in general wards instead of special negative pressure rooms.

Korea reported 282,987 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, below a record high of 342,446 on Wednesday. Friday had the highest number of fatalities from the illness yet, 229. The number of patients in critical condition hit a record of 1,116, up 3 from the day before.

BY LEE SUN-MIN [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]