외국 선박 음성 확인 돼야 상륙 허가...외국인 환자 치료비 '본인 부담'
The South Korean government will only permit entry to sailors who have tested negative for COVID-19 prior to arriving in the country,... as the nation is facing an increasing amount of imported cases.
In addition,... the government may no longer offer free COVID-19 treatment for foreign patients,... starting with those who violate quarantine measures.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
With strict quarantine measures and guidelines in place,... the number of local COVID-19 transmissions has been on a steady decline.
The big concern now are the high number of imported cases.
Over the past two weeks,... the nation has been averaging over 31 imported cases a day,... twelve more than the previous two week average.
As a result,... the government will now require all sailors on foreign ships to submit a document indicating negative tests,... within 48 hours of departure,... and test negative again,... before they are allowed to dock .
"We plan to minimize the number of ships coming in, by conducting strict inspections on the crew and only approving the ships if they all test negative."
The high number of imported cases has also put a strain on the cost of treatment.
On Sunday,... Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said South Korea will push to revise the law to require foreign COVID-19 patients to cover the costs of their treatment.
He said the increasing number of foreign patients among the imported cases could strain the nation's medical system.
He added the country will either make foreign patients pay all or part of the costs for their hospitalization,... but "under the principle of reciprocity considering diplomatic relations."
As it stands,... in-hospital and treatment expenses for confirmed patients are covered by the government regardless of nationality.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
