Seoul: South Korea will continue to ban short-term travellers from China until the end of February. The decision has been taken in view of fears of an increase in the spread of Kovid-19 after the Lunar New Year holidays in China. In early January, South Korea halted issuing short-term visas at its consulate general in China.
South Korea has taken this step amid fears of a surge in COVID-19 cases and fears of new variants of the virus emerging after china eased restrictions in December. South Korea had made it mandatory for all passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macau to submit a negative report of covid test done within the period 48 hours prior to departure.
These passengers are also being tested afresh on arrival in South Korea. In response to the restrictions imposed by South Korea, China also banned the issuance of short-term visas to travelers coming from there. This had raised concerns about disrupting trade activities in South Korea, which is largely dependent on exports to China.
