SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea will no longer require travelers arriving from overseas to undergo a pre-departure test for COVID-19.
However, those arriving in South Korea will still need to take a test within 24 hours of arrival.
The latest relaxing of rules follows a drop in daily COVID-19 case numbers, which has hovered around 100,000 in recent weeks, compared with more than 180,000 in mid-August.
Lee Ki-il, South Korea’s second vice health minister, told reporters, “The weekly number of infections have declined for the first time in nine weeks and the virus is showing signs of slowing down.”
Following announcements by Japan and other countries that they were ending their pre-departure test requirements, the move comes as South Korea is set to mark next week’s thanksgiving holiday of Chuseok.
Peck Kyong-ran, head of the Korea Disease control and Prevention Agency, said while cases could increase after the holiday season, the figures are likely to remain within control, according to Reuters.
South Korea still requires those testing positive for COVID-19 to isolate for seven days, and continues to have an indoor face-mask mandate in force.
