South Korea travel restrictions

South Korea International Restrictions:
*Entry to South Korea: Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
*Transiting in South Korea: All transit passengers receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport.
*Testing / screening on arrival: All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals, and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence, may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website.
*Data collection: There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. You must receive approval before you travel from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea where you are. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

Internal Restrictions:
Facemasks are compulsory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask can result in a fine of up to 100,000 Korean Won (£66). South Korea is currently at level 1 on its three-level national social distancing scale. For full details of the current restrictions, and any local variations, you should check the South Korea Disease Control and prevention Agency (KDCA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare website (English). You should continue to monitor the KDCA website and follow local guidance.

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. **Transiting in South Korea: Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. Individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=] There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 23 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system across the country. Additional social distancing measures have been introduced for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi areas, effective from 30 August to 6 September. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) .[https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html? fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/]. website (English). You should continue to monitor the KCDC website and follow local guidance.

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea. **Transiting in South Korea: Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Transit passengers at Seoul Incheon Airport require a ticket/boarding pass for their onward flight to their final destination. They should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport). Transit hotels are available in both Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre. For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days. All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. Individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged. If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors. You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=] There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App. Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 15 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system for Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi province. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) website (English). You should continue to monitor the KCDC website and follow local guidance.[https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html?fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/].

South Korea *****International Restrictions:
From 10 August foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are permitted to enter South Korea. The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Many public buildings, as well as public transport and airlines, require masks to be worn. On 15 August, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, the South Korean government raised its social distancing requirements to Level 2 in its three-tier system for Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi province. For full details check the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) website [https://is.cdc.go.kr/upload_comm/syview/doc.html?fn=159765107610200.pdf&rs=/upload_comm/docu/0030/].

South Korea The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.

*****International Restrictions:
From 10 August foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are permitted to enter South Korea.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Masks are now compulsory in all ROK modes of public transportation (including taxis and domestic/international flights). Drivers and pilots are authorized to deny passengers who refuse to wear a mask.

South Korea The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on Sunday, June 21, announcing they plan to limit the number of foreign nationals entering South Korea through a temporary restriction on visas and a ban on non-scheduled flights. Exceptions will be made for government officials and essential business trips.

*****International Restrictions:
Foreign nationals who have been in Hubei province in China within the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter South Korea.
From 1 June 2020, foreign nationals residing in South Korea on most types of long-term visa will need to apply for a re-entry permit at a local immigration office or at the airport before undertaking any travel out of South Korea. Those travelling with a re-entry permit will also be required to have a medical examination no earlier than 48 hours before they plan to return to South Korea, and to obtain a medical certificate in English or Korean to present to the Korean authorities on their arrival. The medical certificate must be signed by a medical professional at a recognised medical institution and include the date of the medical examination and either confirmation of a negative test for COVID-19 or a record of the presence or absence of fever, cough, chills, headache, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and pulmonary symptoms. Long-term visa holders seeking to return to South Korea without a medical certificate may be refused entry. Long-term visa holders leaving South Korea without a re-entry permit will have their visa and Alien Registration Card cancelled and will need to obtain a new long-term visa before they can re-enter South Korea. Exceptions to this requirement include holders of A-1, A-2, A-3 and F-4 visas, or those issued with an Isolation Exemption Certificate by a Korean Embassy or consulate overseas. For further information, call the Korean Immigration Contact Centre (Tel: 1345) or see the official announcement here.
All arrivals – regardless of nationality and length of stay – are required to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and to undergo quarantine for 14 days. All individuals regardless of nationality who show coronavirus symptoms on arrival will be tested. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated at a hospital or community treatment centre.
For those not showing symptoms on arrival, Korean nationals and long term foreign visitors with an Alien Registration Card and Korean residence may self-quarantine at home. Arrivals from the USA and Europe must receive a test within three days; arrivals from elsewhere must receive a test within 14 days.
All other foreign short-term travellers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days on arrival. Arrivals from the USA and Europe will be tested on entry before transferring to the quarantine facility; arrivals from elsewhere will move to the quarantine facility and be tested within 14 days. Individuals are required to pay a daily charge of around 100,000KRW while in government quarantine facilities. There is currently no charge for hospital/community centre treatment for those testing positive. It is worth noting that individuals testing positive on arrival may spend over a month in hospital/community treatment centres before successfully testing negative and being discharged.
You can find more information on Korean arrival procedures on the Government of the Republic of Korea website [http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/baroView.do?brdId=11&brdGubun=111&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=&contSeq=&board_id=]
There are very limited exemptions from the self-quarantine system for important – primarily COVID-19 related – business, humanitarian or academic purposes. Those with an exemption will still be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and will need to participate with an active monitoring system via regular calls with a health expert and a specialised mobile App.
Make sure you have with you a mobile telephone with the roaming function enabled, and/or the telephone number of a friend, relative or contact who can update the authorities daily on your state of health. A hotel telephone number will not be accepted. Immigration authorities will undertake a test call before travellers leave the airport, and any individual unable to verify their contact details may be denied entry to South Korea.
Transit passengers will receive a temperature check on arrival in Korea. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalisation if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey.
If you display symptoms or return a positive test result for COVID-19, you must comply with self-quarantine and treatment instructions issued by the Korean authorities. Failure to do so could result in deportation, the revocation of visas or residence permits and an entry ban, and you may be held liable for economic losses incurred by further transmission of the virus. The Ministry of Justice has made clear that this policy applies to foreign residents as well as short-term visitors.

*****

Internal restrictions:

Masks are now compulsory in all ROK modes of public transportation (including taxis and domestic/international flights). Drivers and pilots are authorized to deny passengers who refuse to wear a mask.

South Korea Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April are invalidated. 2. Visa exemptions for 90 nationalities with normal passport are temporarily suspended. – This does not apply to airline crew. – This does not apply to passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card. 3. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated. 4. Visitors who have been in the Hubei Province (China People’s Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.). 5. Nationals of China (People’s Rep.) with a passport issued in the Hubei Province are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.). 6. Passengers arriving from China (People’s Rep) must have a visa issued by Korea (Rep.) to transit through Korea (Rep.). – This not apply to nationals of Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Ireland (Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, USA, Vatican City (Holy See) and Venezuela. – This not apply to passengers with a British passport. – This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic, consular, official, service or special passport. 7. All passengers are subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days. – This does not apply to airline crew. 8. Nationals and residents of Korea (Rep.) are required to install ‘Self-quarantine safety protection mobile app’. 9. Passengers and airline crew must install ‘Self-diagnosis Mobile App’ in their personal device and a completed Health Declaration Form and a Special Quarantine Declaration Form must be presented to the quarantine desk upon arrival. Effective 17 April 2020 at 20:00h: 1. All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 5:00 and 20:00. All passengers arriving in South Korea from overseas will be required to undergo two weeks of self-isolation.Those without local residence in South Korea will be quarantined at a government facility with a cost of approximately KRW100,000 per day. Mandatory testing of COVID-19 and 14-day quarantine is required for travellers (regardless of nationality) arriving from Europe. From 30 March, airlines are required to check the body temperature of all travellers to South Korea prior to departure. Travellers with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be denied entry. From 28 March, all travellers arriving from Europe or the US are advised to use private vehicles to transit to their place of residence from the airport. Those who do not have access to private vehicles are to use designated buses and trains allocated for these travellers. Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to an isolation facility for further COVID-19 testing (travellers without symptoms will also be tested for COVID-19 in a separate facility). If test results are positive, patients will be escorted to designated hospitals or other medical facilities for treatment. All violators (incl. foreigners) of the self-quarantine requirement will be punished by relevant statutory law. International travellers can transit if they do not clear immigration and stay within the transit area for up to 24 hours.

Internal restrictions:

The country’s COVID-19 alert level has remained at RED (the highest on a four-tier scale) since 23 February. The country has officially shifted from ‘social distancing’ to ‘everyday life quarantine’ from 6 May. Businesses are allowed to resume at facilities in phases and gatherings are allowed to take place, following disinfection guidelines. After a new cluster was found on 8 May, all bars, clubs have been advised to remain closed until 8 June. Even under ‘everyday life quarantine’, Daegu will have more stringent measures, such as mandating masks in public transport from 13 May. Earlier, the authorities have allowed religious organisations and outdoor public recreational facilities to reopen on condition that social distancing rules are adhered to. Schools will resume in a phased manner starting from 13 May. The capital Seoul has ordered bars, clubs and other nightlife establishments to temporarily close until further notice. Additionally, subway passengers in Seoul travelling during peak hours will also require to wear masks. In Gyeonggi province, the local authorities have also banned all entertainment facilities from hosting crowds and announced that non-compliance will face penalties.

Source: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm https://pandemic.internationalsos.com/2019-ncov/ncov-travel-restrictions-flight-operations-and-screening

South Korea 1. Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before 5 April are invalidated.
2. Visa exemptions for 90 nationalities with normal passport are temporarily suspended.
– This does not apply to airline crew.
– This does not apply to passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card.
3. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated.
4. Visitors who have been in the Hubei Province (China People’s Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.).
5. Nationals of China (People’s Rep.) with a passport issued in the Hubei Province are not allowed to transit or enter Korea (Rep.).
6. Passengers arriving from China (People’s Rep) must have a visa issued by Korea (Rep.) to transit through Korea (Rep.).
– This not apply to nationals of Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Ireland (Rep.), Korea (Rep.), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, USA, Vatican City (Holy See) and Venezuela.
– This not apply to passengers with a British passport.
– This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic, consular, official, service or special passport.
7. All passengers are subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days.
– This does not apply to airline crew.
8. Nationals and residents of Korea (Rep.) are required to install ‘Self-quarantine safety protection mobile app’.
9. Passengers and airline crew must install ‘Self-diagnosis Mobile App’ in their personal device and a completed Health Declaration Form and a Special Quarantine Declaration Form must be presented to the quarantine desk upon arrival.
Effective 17 April 2020 at 20:00h:
1. All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 5:00 and 20:00.

From 1 April all passengers arriving in South Korea from overseas will be required to undergo 14 days of self-isolation.
Those without local residence in South Korea will be quarantined at a government facility with a cost of approximately KRW1000,000 per day.
Travellers who hold A-1 visa, A-3 agreement visa, diplomats and their families are exempt from the 14-day mandatory self-isolation. Exemptions can also be made for travellers who receive permission from a South Korean Embassy to travel for the purposes of business, humanitarian work or participation in an academic forum.

From 30 March, airlines are required to check the body temperature of all travellers to South Korea prior to departure. Travellers with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be denied entry.
From 28 March, all travellers arriving from Europe or the US are advised to use private vehicles to transit to their place of residence from the airport. Those who do not have access to private vehicles are to use designated buses and trains allocated for these travellers.
Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to an isolation facility for further COVID-19 testing (travellers without symptoms will also be tested for COVID-19 in a separate facility). If test results are positive, patients will be escorted to designated hospitals or other medical facilities for treatment.

Internal restrictions:

The country’s COVID-19 alert level has remained at RED (the highest on a four-tier scale) since 23 February.
The country has officially shifted from ‘social distancing’ to ‘everyday life quarantine’ from 6 May. Businesses are allowed to resume at facilities in phases and gatherings are allowed to take place, following disinfection guidelines.
Even under ‘everyday life quarantine’, Daegu will have more stringent measures, such as mandating masks in public transport from 13 May.