Korea is exempt from isolation for international visitors from March 21

Foreign visitors who have had two doses of the vaccine are exempted from isolation when entering Korea.

The announcement was made by the Korean government after a meeting on March 11 of the Central Agency for Disaster Safety and Response. Travelers need proof that they have had two full doses of the World Health Organization-approved Covid-19 vaccine, between 14 and 180 days before entry, or have received a third dose. Citizens from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar will not be eligible for the new policy.

A medical worker waits to scan passengers' body temperatures at Incheon International Airport on December 29, 2020. Photo: AFP

The new policy has been in effect since March 21. Currently, everyone upon entry is still required to undergo a seven-day quarantine. Guests entering the country will be checked for proof of vaccination through the quarantine information system (Q-code).

Regulations on PCR testing have also been relaxed, but people will still have to be tested twice, on the first day and on the sixth or seventh day after entry.

From next month, international guests can also use public transport. Currently, they are required to travel by private vehicles, special quarantine taxis and isolated areas on the KTX high-speed train.