오늘부터 해외입국자 2주간 의무격리 의무화
Our starting point this morning
With new anti-coronavirus measures imposed,... starting today,... South Korea is requiring ALL people arriving in the country from overseas,... whether South Korean nationals or not to self-isolate themselves for two full weeks.
The measure comes as the South Korean government tries to stem the spread of the coronavirus, more specifically, the imported number of cases.
For more, we have our Yoon Jung-min live, at the nation's main gateway, Incheon International Airport.
Jung-min, tell us more.
Sure, Se-min. As of midnight on this first day of April, seven hours ago,... all arrivals from abroad are to be self-quarantined for two weeks,... regardless of their nationality or where they departed from.
So you should keep that in mind if you are visiting or plan to visit South Korea from today.
To slow the number of COVID-19 infections,... the government says it will have a 'zero-tolerance' policy on those who violate the self-isolation rules.
This means those who break the rules may face legal punishment.
Once people arrive at airports, they will be informed of the quarantine rules and asked to download an app so the health authorities can track their whereabouts.
To prevent the arrivals from using public transportation, the government plans to provide special buses or trains for them.
They strongly recommend arrivals use their own cars if they have them.
People displaying symptoms will be tested at the airport upon arrival.
If you don't have symptoms, you will be ordered to self-isolate at home or at quarantine facilities for at least 14 days.
If you've been authorized by the South Korean embassy for visiting the country for special purposes, you will be exempt from the self-quarantine as long as you don't have symptoms.
And Se-min,... all this,... as the government aims to curb the steady inflow of imported coronavirus cases without having to close the border.
On a separate note,… the South Korean government is also bringing back its citizens from Italy, one of the hardest virus-stricken countries.
And the first group is arriving this afternoon via a chartered flight?
That's right. More than 500 South Koreans will be brought back home from Italy over two days.
Today, more than 300 people will return,... and the rest will arrive tomorrow.
This comes as Italy has one of the largest COVID-19 infection cases in the world,... at more than one hundred-thousand so far.
Authorities will check their temperatures before they get onboard,... and they will be sent to quarantine facilities when they arrive.
That's all from me at this hour. Se-min.
