south korea reopening

South Korea Is Open For Tourism And Lifts All Remaining Entry Restrictions

South Korea is open for tourism from April 1.

Also, all Covid-related were lifted on October 1.

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Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

South Korea Reopening – Latest Updates

Korea reopening for tourism

October: South Korea lifts all remaining entry restrictions for international travelers

South Korea has been open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors. Until July, however, unvaccinated visitors were subjected to quarantine upon arrival. Even after eliminating that rule, South Korea continued to require testing on arrival for both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists. 

Authorities have finally decided to drop mandatory testing upon arrival for all travelers, vaccinated or not, starting October 1.

Also read: 86 Countries That Don’t Require Covid Vaccination Or Test For Travel

 

September 27 – South Korea lifts mask-wearing restrictions from Sept. 26

South Korea decided Friday to lift all restrictions on outdoor masks starting September 26, according to local news outlets.

The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who decided that participants in outdoor gatherings of 50 or more people, as well as sporting events and concerts, will no longer be required to wear masks starting Monday, Yonhap news agency reported.

“We are clearly overcoming a critical moment of a resurgence in COVID-19,” Han said.

“Going forward, the government will ease low-risk anti-virus measures one by one after receiving feedback from experts,” he added.

Is South Korea open for tourism?

Yes, South Korea is open for tourism and dropped quarantine for fully vaccinated international travelers on April 1.

Who can travel to South Korea?

South Korea Reopening

People from most countries can visit South Korea but different restrictions apply. 

Is South Korea Open to Americans? 

Yes. However, all Americans need to observe pre-departure testing. Find the complete list of requirements at the ROK COVID-19 Portal and the Korean Immigration Service

Do visitors need to quarantine upon arrival in South Korea?

EU and Schengen Area visitors will be subject to 14-day mandatory quarantine until April 1. All of them.

The cost of quarantine is around KRW 2,100,000 in total and should be paid in advance.

Once the quarantine period is up, individuals are allowed to move freely around the country.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the South Korean Ministry of Health website.

South Korea During the Pandemic

Covid-19 situation in South Korea

With a population of more than 51 million, South Korea is about a sixth the size of the United States but has an incredibly high population density.

Its capital and largest city, Seoul, has a population of more than 9 million, making it larger than New York City. Additionally, with high-speed trains and domestic flights, it’s a tightly linked country. Combined with its proximity to China and the sheer amount of trade between the two countries, many expected South Korea to suffer greatly.

But it hasn’t. Instead, South Korean authorities quickly began a comprehensive testing protocol whenever individuals were found to have symptoms of Covid-19.

Is it safe to visit South Korea now?

Regarding COVID-19, South Korea is a safe place to visit and the spread of the virus is under control. (CDC.gov).

What is the current COVID situation in South Korea?

COVID-19 cases in Korea

As of today, the country has reported 24,848,184 COVID-19 cases and 28,528 deaths.

Why visit South Korea?

Once a traveler is in South Korea and out of quarantine, life largely looks like it did before the pandemic.

Trains, buses, and domestic flights are all operating at full capacity, and museums, shopping centers, and just about every other amenity one could think of are open to tourists. For those willing or able to wait for two weeks, South Korea is looking like pre-COVID South Korea.

Of course, there are some changes worth noting. Individuals are expected to wear a mask and social distance, and unlike the US, compliance is mandatory.

Not wearing a mask in public will get one in trouble with the authorities, and even before the police arrive will result in considerable consternation from the locals. After all, this is a country that is acutely aware that it is lucky through this whole ordeal precisely because it came together.

For those with the ability and need to go to South Korea, visiting the country can be an incredible experience. In addition to everything else that South Korea has to offer, the reduced stress of being in a country that has largely handled the pandemic will be a relief to many.

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