December 28 According to South Korean media reports, Zheng Yinjing, the head of the Central Epidemic Prevention and Response Headquarters of South Korea, said at a regular press conference on the 28th that in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mutant strains into the country, the flight ban on British flights will be extended by one week to January 7, 2021.
Recently, the United Kingdom announced the discovery of a mutant strain of the novel coronavirus, and the transmission capacity of the new mutant virus may be 70% higher than that of the original virus.
South Korea’s epidemic prevention department said on the 28th that it had confirmed many cases of mutant COVID-19 infection.
On the same day, Zheng Yinjing released a policy on strengthening entry quarantine at a regular press conference, extending the ban on British flights by one week.
Specifically, entry from the United Kingdom and South Africa, regardless of nationality, including those who enter through third countries, must submit negative nucleic acid test (PCR) certificates, and suspend visa issuance except in special cases such as diplomatic service and humanitarian affairs. In addition, the government will require all immigration personnel to be tested again before the end of the quarantine period.
According to previous reports, the South Korean government suspended flights with the United Kingdom from December 23, requiring all immigrants from the UK to be quarantined for 14 days and undergo nucleic acid testing again after the quarantine period.
At the same time, the government has increased quarantine of people entering from South Africa, requiring them to be tested after the quarantine period is over.
The report pointed out that the ban on British flights may be extended again according to the epidemic situation.