COVID-19 surges in S. Korea; PCR tests required within 1 day of arrival
코로나 재유행... 입국 시 1일 이내 PCR 검사, 요양병원 대면 면회 금지 The South Korean health authorities have brought back some measures to try and slow the spread of COVID-19. People arriving in the country now have to get a PCR test within one day of arrival instead of three. Also, nursing homes can no longer allow outside visitors. Our Kim Jung-sil has the details. South Korea is contending with a new wave of COVID-19 new cases in the past six days averaging 70-thousand. This has prompted the government to reintroduce some measures it had lifted, effective from Monday. All those arriving in South Korea are now required to take a PCR test within one day of arrival. The rule on testing had been eased last month to "within three days." Tests are free at public health centers for South Korean citizens and foreigners on long-term visas. Short-term visitors are advised to get one at the testing center inside the airport. There, it costs 80-thousand Korean won, which is about 60 U.S. dollars. Those who test positive have to self-isolate for 7 days. Other measures brought back affect nursing homes. In-person visits had resumed in April, but they're no longer allowed. Staff at these facilities also have to take a PCR test once a week. The highly transmissible BA-5 variant of omicron is now the dominant strain in the country. It accounts for more than 50 percent of new infections, and can evade vaccines and acquired immunity. It also accounts for about 63 percent of infections from overseas. Meanwhile, in South Korea, one more case of variant B-A-2-7-5 was confirmed on Monday, making 4 in total. The B-A-2-7-5, also known as Centaurus, is apparently even more contagious than BA-5 variant. Contact tracing is underway to find out how the virus was transmitted. KIM Jung-sil, Arirang News. #COVID19 #infection #restriction 📣 Arirang News(Facebook) : / arirangtvnews 📣 Arirang News(Twitter) : / arirangtvnews 📣 News Center(YouTube) : / newscenter_arirangtv 2022-07-25, 17:00 (KST)
