Korea to lift post-arrival PCR tests for arrivals from China in March

A PCR test notice is posted at the Incheon International Airport on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Korea will lift the mandatory post-arrival PCR tests for all arrivals from China from March 1.

Korea's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced in a briefing on Wednesday morning that the stabilizing Covid-19 situation in Korea and the low percentage of Chinese arrivals testing positive, at 0.6 percent, allow for additional easing of disease prevention measures.

Chinese arrivals will also be able to arrive through airports other than Incheon International Airport from next month.

"Pre-arrival PCR tests and Q-code uploads will remain in place until March 10, and will be reviewed for termination after assessing the effect from eased restrictions," Kim Sung-ho, a senior official of the disease agency, said.

Korea curranty requires arrivals from China to submit a negative test result both pre- and post-arrival, within the first day of their entry since early January.

Korea resumed issuing short-term visas for Chinese nationals on Feb. 11, and China also restarted issuing short-term visas for Koreans on Saturday.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]