Expedited antigen testing is also recognized at the time of entry… Lowering the threshold for overseas travel

[앵커]

The sky road to overseas has been opened, but there are not many airline tickets yet, and the Corona PCR test has to be done every time. However, 10 days later, when you return to Korea, it is also recognized that you received a negative confirmation by rapid antigen test, even if it is not PCR.

Reporter Young-tak Yoon will tell you in detail.

[기자]

Although the quarantine locks in countries around the world have been lifted, the departure hall at Incheon International Airport has not yet returned to its former shape.

This is because the number of people who want to leave the country has increased, but the number of flights that have to carry them has not increased that much.

The government has announced that it will increase the number of international flights to 760 flights a week from next month.

However, compared to 4,700 flights a week in 2019, before the corona pandemic, it is less than 20%.

The government’s goal is to recover the original 50% by the end of the year.

We also decided to change the pre-entry corona screening system, which was considered one of the biggest obstacles to traveling abroad.

The cost of the PCR test, which must be taken, is not too high, and recently it was difficult to find a test center, so there was a lot of resentment from tourists.

[중국 입국자 : PCR 검사를 받으려면 병원을 가야 하는데 병원 가는 게 쉽지 않아서…]

[일본 입국자 : 다음 달 말에 또 해외 갈 일이 생겼는데 왕복 3만엔 (약 30만원) 정도 들고, PCR 검사만…]

Starting from the 23rd, entry will be possible even if the rapid antigen test is negative.

However, unlike the PCR test, which was 48 hours before departure, you must take the test 24 hours before departure.

‘Self-inspection’ through self-kit is not accepted.

[박향/중앙사고수습본부 방역총괄반장 : PCR을 대체하는 것으로 RAT(신속항원) 검사를 하는 것이기 때문에 현재는 전문가용 RAT만 인정하고…]

Most travelers welcomed the move, but expressed disappointment that a voice confirmation was still required.

[베트남 출국자 : 현지 병원도 알아봐야 하고 서류가 정확하게 나오는지도… 직장인들은 (여행 기간이) 넉넉한 게 아니잖아요. 걱정이 돼서…]

The quarantine authorities have decided to exempt adolescents under the age of 18 from quarantine upon entering the country, even if they have not received the third dose after 6 months have passed since the second dose.

(Video design: Seungwoo Cho)

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.