SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said it would continue restricting entry holidays for short-term travelers from China through the end of February amid concerns that the spread of COVID-19 in China could worsen after the Lunar New Year.
South Korea stopped issuing most short-term visas at its consulate in China in early January, citing concerns about a surge in the virus in the country, which abruptly eased coronavirus restrictions in December and the possibility of new mutations.
South Korea also requires all passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau to submit proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours of arrival and to be tested again upon arrival.
The measures, initially imposed in January, prompted China to retaliate by suspending applications for short-term visas from South Korea, raising concerns about disruptions to business activity in a country that relies heavily on exports to China.
Health authorities decided to extend coronavirus measures for short-term travelers from China for another month after a meeting on South Korea’s COVID-19 response was held on Friday. Despite some signs that the COVID-19 outbreak in major Chinese cities is slowing, South Korean officials remain concerned about a resurgence of the virus after mass gatherings and cross-border travel during the Lunar New Year holiday that ended this week.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said in a statement that South Korean officials had left open the possibility of easing restrictions earlier during the meeting if it became more apparent that the COVID-19 situation in China was improving.
About 10% of the 6,900 short-term Chinese tourists who arrived in South Korea between Jan. 2 and Thursday tested positive after being tested at the airport, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
South Korea, while allowing existing visas to be extended, has stopped issuing most short-term visas at its consulates in China, except for essential government, diplomatic and business activities, and humanitarian reasons.
