South Korea lifts 7-day quarantine for vaccinated travelers

From early April 2022, South Korea has reopened to fully vaccinated international travellers without the need for a seven-day quarantine, easing Covid-era entry restrictions. Travellers are still required to present a negative Covid-19 test result upon arrival.

The move coincides with Incheon International Airport reporting that passenger numbers on Friday surpassed 20 000 for the first time in almost two years.

Nevertheless, South Korean health authorities emphasised that the quarantine exemption is subject to change. "We will continue to monitor virus risks from each country and, if a concerning new variant emerges, adjust quarantine exemptions flexibly on a country-by-country basis", warned Jeong Eun-Kyeong, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

South Korea has recently eased a range of social distancing measures too: the limit on private gatherings has been raised from eight to ten people, and the indoor dining curfew in restaurants and cafés has been extended to midnight.

Recall that South Korea first imposed strict border controls in March 2020 to slow the virus’s spread. While the measures helped the country maintain one of the world’s most successful pandemic responses, they drew criticism from citizens returning home and foreign visitors for business or personal reasons.

With the quarantine waiver now in effect, South Korean airlines and tour operators report a sharp rise in demand. Our team can assist you in securing a K-ETA, the electronic travel authorisation required for visitors to South Korea.