South Korea: Authorities to gradually reopen schools as of May 13 /update 20

South Korean authorities announce schools will start reopening from May 13; follow government directives
Read all related news alert(s):
South Korea: Authorities tighten several COVID-19 restrictions as of November 29 /update 41
South Korea: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Seoul from November 22 /update 40
Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Seoul November 19
South Korea: Mandatory wearing of face masks introduced from October 13 /update 38
South Korea: Authorities to ease some COVID-19 restrictions from October 12 /update 37
South Korea: Business travel permitted to resume between South Korea and Japan from October 8 /update 36
South Korea: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions until October 11 /update 35
South Korea: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions until September 27 /update 34
South Korea: Authorities ease social distancing for two weeks ahead of Chuseok holiday September 13 /update 33
South Korea: Authorities extend some COVID-19 restrictions through September 20 /update 32
South Korea: COVID-19 restrictions extended nationwide and tightened in Seoul and surrounding areas August 30-September 9 /update 31
South Korea: Authorities close most schools in Seoul August 25 /update 30
South Korea: Authorities make face masks mandatory in Seoul August 24 /update 29
South Korea: Authorities expand stricter social distancing restrictions nationwide August 23 /update 28
South Korea: Authorities impose stricter measures in Seoul and Gyeonggi province August 15 /update 27
South Korea: Authorities to lift ban on travelers arriving from Hubei province from August 10 /update 26
South Korea: Authorities announce highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases since March on July 25 /update 25
South Korea: Authorities restrict foreign arrivals amid rising COVID-19 cases June 21 /update 24
South Korea: Social distancing measures reintroduced following increase in COVID-19 cases May 28 /update 23
South Korea: Authorities close nightlife establishments in Seoul amid COVID-19 concerns May 9 /update 22
South Korea: Korean Air to resume some international flights from June 1 /update 21
South Korea: Social distancing rules to be relaxed from May 6 amid COVID-19 pandemic /update 19
South Korea: Authorities report no new domestic cases of COVID-19 on April 29 /update 18
South Korea: Authorities extend social-distancing measures until May 6 to curb spread of COVID-19 /update 17
South Korea: Visa waivers suspended for countries with entry ban on South Koreans April 8 /update 16
South Korea: Government implements quarantine measures for all foreign travelers April 1 /update 15
South Korea: Authorities implement entry screenings as of March 22 /update 14
South Korea: Government designates four "special disaster zones" in North Gyeongsang province March 15 /update 13
South Korea: Health officials confirm over 7300 coronavirus cases March 9 /update 12
South Korea: Government declares new “special care zone” in North Gyeongsang province March 5 /update 11
South Korea: Health officials confirm 5766 cases of COVID-19 March 5 /update 10
South Korea: COVID-19 cases rise over 4200 March 2 /update 9
South Korea: Health officials confirm nearly 3000 COVID-19 cases February 29 /update 8
South Korea: Flight suspensions in place following 12 coronavirus-related fatalities February 26 /update 7
South Korea: Coronavirus cases continue to increase nationwide February 23 /update 6
South Korea: Number of coronavirus (COVID-49) cases surges February 22 /update 5
South Korea: Daegu and Cheongdo declared “special care zones” February 21 /update 4
South Korea: Health ministry officials confirm 82 coronavirus cases February 20 /update 3
South Korea: Asiana Airlines reduces service to China February 12 /update 2
South Korea: New coronavirus screening measures to begin February 12 /update 1
Event
South Korean authorities announced on Monday, May 4, that schools will start reopening in the country from Wednesday, May 13, after holding online classes for several weeks due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. High school students will be the first to go back to school on May 13, followed by younger pupils who will gradually return between Wednesday, May 20, and Monday, June 1. The wearing of facemasks will be compulsory for all returning pupils and teachers, who will also be required to implement social-distancing measures and wipe their desks regularly. Guidelines and mock drills will be conducted in order to plan for a potential upsurge of COVID-19 infections.
South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on Sunday, May 3, that some social-distancing measures would be relaxed further. Commencing on Wednesday, May 6, the government plans to allow some businesses to resume operations at facilities that remained closed as of Sunday, and will allow gatherings and events to take place as long as social-distancing guidelines are followed. The exact guidelines were not immediately made clear.
The temporary suspension of visa-free entry and visa-waiver programs for countries with entry bans on South Koreans remains in effect until further notice. Separately, bars and clubs in Seoul remain closed following the discovery of a cluster of COVID-19 infections linked to a bar in Gangnam district on Wednesday, April 8.
All inbound passengers to South Korea continue to be required to undertake a 14-day mandatory quarantine period. Short-term travelers are required to remain in quarantine at their own expense at a government-mandated facility. Long-term travelers and residents are required to self-quarantine at their own residences. Any passengers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are required to undergo testing for the disease upon their arrival at the airport. Individuals traveling for diplomatic, business, humanitarian, or academic reasons may be exempt from the quarantine requirements but must obtain a preapproved waiver from a Korean embassy or consulate. The quarantine measures do not apply to passengers transiting through Incheon International Airport (IIA), but such travelers are subject to a temperature screening and health questionnaire.
As of May 4, authorities have confirmed 10,801 cases of COVID-19 in the country, as well as 252 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone non-essential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
- If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.
Copyright and Disclaimer
GardaWorld is the owner or licensee of all intellectual property rights in the material presented on this website. All such rights are reserved.
The use of this website and its material is subject to the Terms of Use and accordingly you must not use any content from this website for commercial or other analogous purposes without our consent,
including but not limited to any deep-linking or framing in order to copy, distribute, display or monitor any portion of the website.
If you have any questions or are interested in distributing any content from this website, Contact us for more details.