Seoul issues restrictions for travelers from China

South Korea will temporarily require travelers from China to show negative COVID-19 results before leaving for South Korea because of a surge of infections in China, officials said. Starting from Jan. 5, travelers from China are required to submit a negative result of a PCR test within 48 hours before their departures or a rapid antigentest within 24 hours before their departures according to the commissioner at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The commissioner added that South Korea will restrict issuing short-term visas for Chinese nationals, except for those who need to come for diplomatic, essential business and humanitarian reasons.  Effective from Jan. 2, all travelers from China are also required to take PCR tests within a day after their arrivals in South Korea. South Korea’s strengthened restrictions will be enforced until the end of February and could be extended.