The government said Wednesday it is collecting opinions on whether to abolish the mandatory Covid-19 test before entering Korea.
Currently, quarantine authorities require all inbound travelers to submit a negative confirmation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 48 hours before entry or a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) confirmation issued within 24 hours of entry. However, the regulation has been the target of complaints about the inconvenience, mainly from the tourism and travel industries.
"The government is aware of the problem," said Park Hyang, director of antivirus measures at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, during a daily briefing. "The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is collecting expert opinions on this matter."
However, when traveling by plane, there are many things to consider because meals and various other acts are done in an enclosed space, Park added. According to reports, the Japanese government is also considering eliminating such requirements.
On Wednesday, the KDCA confirmed 139,883 new infections, bringing the total caseload to 22,588,640.
The death toll came to 26,224, up 63 from Sunday, with a fatality rate of 0.12 percent. Health officials also confirmed the highest number of severe cases in almost four months after confirming 573 cases, an increase of 69 from the previous day.
The figure is the highest in 120 days since April 26, and people 60 years and older accounted for the most severe cases with 493 (86 percent).
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also said that the government would ban in-person visits to nursing facilities during the Chuseok holiday (Sept. 9-12) as a precaution against Covid-19.
The government allowed in-person visits to nursing facilities in March last year but re-imposed the ban on such visits last month as daily infections and deaths spiked again.
As the number of confirmed Covid-19 cluster infections in nursing hospitals and facilities vulnerable to infection increased by 72 percent in one month, the government has decided to maintain its policy of banning in-person visits at such vulnerable facilities and activate a task force.
"The measure is very regrettable but inevitable for the health of the elderly," Han said. "Still, the upcoming Chuseok holiday marks the first one without social distancing rules for in three years."
Han stressed that the government would soon announce anti-epidemic measures during the holiday.
According to the KDCA, about 44.66 million among 52 million Koreans have been fully vaccinated. In addition, about 33.53 million people had received their first booster shots, and 6.96 million had their second booster shots.
During the press briefing, Han reiterated the importance of vaccination, stressing that vaccination is the most effective means to protect everyone, and especially urged children and adolescents to receive the vaccination.
"Vaccine adverse reactions are rare in children and adolescents compared to the overall age, and most of them appear as mild symptoms," Han said. "Therefore, the government again urges children and adolescents included in the high-risk group to participate in receiving the vaccination."