The South Korea COVID-19 thread
Jul 10, 2022, 1:51 am
#241
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
I have an 11 hour INC layover and know I have to clear K-ETA and the Q-Code entry requirements.
Since I won't have a hotel booking is it problem if I use a Korean hostel address as a place holder for both documents? Would there be a problem with immigration/public health entering INC that same day?
Since I won't have a hotel booking is it problem if I use a Korean hostel address as a place holder for both documents? Would there be a problem with immigration/public health entering INC that same day?
Jul 10, 2022, 1:53 am
#242
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
I am traveling LAX-HND and then HND-GMP on two separate tickets on JL with an overnight transit in HND. South Korea requires a COVID test either 1 or 2 days before departure date. Does anyone what day they would consider the departure date? Would it be the departure date for the first ticket (LAX-HND) or would they use the departure date for the HND-GMP since it is two separate tickets? Thanks.
Jul 10, 2022, 2:50 am
#243
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
I'm pretty sure the language is two day prior to initial international departure as in if you have a layover in another country but don't enter that country it's from your initial departure. Check me on that. But at the same time be sure JAL is good with it.
Jul 10, 2022, 7:07 pm
#244
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 763
Also not sure you can overnight airside in Haneda, how to check in ? Any luggage ? This sounds likely to fail
Jul 14, 2022, 1:33 am
#245
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Warning: The PCR Test on arrival is now required WITHIN ONE DAY - meaning the day you arrive OR the day after.
Also, many district health offices are turning away tourists. Do your PCR arrival test at the airport, safe2gopass.com to schedule a reservation. If you get turned away for the free district health office test (it's supposed to be residents only, but no one cared for years), you'll be paying 100-130,000W anywhere in the city. Seegene is the cheapest at like 65,000W but kind of far for most people AND they have a kind of intense, strict reservation system (if you're late you can't just walk in and be seen, you have to re-register, etc.)
Also, many district health offices are turning away tourists. Do your PCR arrival test at the airport, safe2gopass.com to schedule a reservation. If you get turned away for the free district health office test (it's supposed to be residents only, but no one cared for years), you'll be paying 100-130,000W anywhere in the city. Seegene is the cheapest at like 65,000W but kind of far for most people AND they have a kind of intense, strict reservation system (if you're late you can't just walk in and be seen, you have to re-register, etc.)
Jul 14, 2022, 2:33 am
#246
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
Officially, Korea does not recognize overseas recovery certificates and you should expect to be sent away to a facility (a converted hotel) for 7 nights as a visitor. HOWEVER, some health offices (that operate the rules for each district in Seoul/various cities) - they will accept it and will let you stay at your house OR not quarantine at all. There is no guarantee and you don'r really know what happens until you test positive and they get in touch with you. SO, to be safe, expect to have to go to a government facility for 7 nights if you test positive on arrival.
We asked at the testing center about what if the test is positive. Same official line. Fortunately all was negative so will never know if we'd be able to wiggle out of that. I'm sure speaking Korean would make a major difference.
Also,, less touristy places (ie NOT GangNam) are more likely to do the test for foreigners (no fee). Seems it helps if you can find a way to show up with the app already filled out and just jump to that spot in the process. Again, speaking and looking Korean helps. Of course last step before the test you give your passport.
Jul 14, 2022, 1:56 pm
#247
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more
Posts: 565
Flying YYZ-ICN-MNL. Do I need to test as I will be in transit and not leaving the airport. I've checked the ICN and Korean gov't websites and it's not very clear. HELP !!
Jul 14, 2022, 7:08 pm
#248
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: ALL Gold, MPC Silver
Posts: 175
Warning: The PCR Test on arrival is now required WITHIN ONE DAY - meaning the day you arrive OR the day after.
Also, many district health offices are turning away tourists. Do your PCR arrival test at the airport, safe2gopass.com to schedule a reservation. If you get turned away for the free district health office test (it's supposed to be residents only, but no one cared for years), you'll be paying 100-130,000W anywhere in the city. Seegene is the cheapest at like 65,000W but kind of far for most people AND they have a kind of intense, strict reservation system (if you're late you can't just walk in and be seen, you have to re-register, etc.)
Also, many district health offices are turning away tourists. Do your PCR arrival test at the airport, safe2gopass.com to schedule a reservation. If you get turned away for the free district health office test (it's supposed to be residents only, but no one cared for years), you'll be paying 100-130,000W anywhere in the city. Seegene is the cheapest at like 65,000W but kind of far for most people AND they have a kind of intense, strict reservation system (if you're late you can't just walk in and be seen, you have to re-register, etc.)
It's been 4 days since I entered Korea and my local district health office seems to have forgot all about me. Last time they were constantly badgering me, asking for my test results.
Jul 14, 2022, 7:23 pm
#249
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
One additional note, for the free district health office test an e-ticket or the boarding pass is required.
It's been 4 days since I entered Korea and my local district health office seems to have forgot all about me. Last time they were constantly badgering me, asking for my test results.
It's been 4 days since I entered Korea and my local district health office seems to have forgot all about me. Last time they were constantly badgering me, asking for my test results.
Jul 14, 2022, 7:31 pm
#250
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: ALL Gold, MPC Silver
Posts: 175
I got tested at a office near my workplace because I couldn't be bothered to go to my local office during their hours. And I seriously doubt that they've managed to get all of the offices to share their data in the last 4 months. 4 months ago they were also badgering me to get tested at their office, not someplace else because they didn't want to manually input my PCR results.
Jul 14, 2022, 7:57 pm
#251
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HNL
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 87
11 layover require PCR test on arrival?
If I want to leave the airport during my layover, besides the K-ETA and Q-Code would I now have to do the PCR test on arrival?
That looks to be 80,000 Won through Safe2go. This plus the PCR test 1-2 days before arrival adds up to nearly $80 for a layover visit.
That looks to be 80,000 Won through Safe2go. This plus the PCR test 1-2 days before arrival adds up to nearly $80 for a layover visit.
Jul 14, 2022, 8:59 pm
#252
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
One additional note, for the free district health office test an e-ticket or the boarding pass is required.
It's been 4 days since I entered Korea and my local district health office seems to have forgot all about me. Last time they were constantly badgering me, asking for my test results.
It's been 4 days since I entered Korea and my local district health office seems to have forgot all about me. Last time they were constantly badgering me, asking for my test results.
Jul 15, 2022, 12:41 am
#254
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629