The South Korea COVID-19 thread
Sep 19, 2021, 6:30 am
#61
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Sep 23, 2021, 9:30 pm
#62
Join Date: May 2005
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I needed a RT PCR test within 72 hours of departure even with the quarantine exemption (as I mentioned above), but I did not get another test upon arrival.
Sep 24, 2021, 11:28 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
It is a PCR test after you exit the airport - you go to your local health office for your registered address...it is not at the airport on arrival. You are free to leave the airport no waiting for test results etc. just normal processing
Sep 25, 2021, 2:51 am
#64
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Posts: 216
But if I wanna do the test in ICN instead of my local health office (that I suppose it is nearest to the hotel of my stay), I'm able to do so? I know a lot of helth offices close at 18.30, if my flight arrives at 15 I might have no time to do the test same day.
Sep 25, 2021, 9:49 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
Just sharing with you my experience.
When arriving at ICN airport, the first checkpoint is where the Yellow Health Declaration Form is submitted. The person there asked if I wanted to take the PCR test at the airport or near my place in Seoul. The difference is that if you choose to take the test at the airport, you will have to stay there until the results come back (could be several hours). However if you choose to test near home, you can leave the airport and then get tested within 24 hrs or so. This was my experience as of August 2021.
Note: This is only for foreigners who have a long term visa for Korea and have been vaccinated abroad (outside of Korea). If your situation is not the same, then your requirements may be different.
When arriving at ICN airport, the first checkpoint is where the Yellow Health Declaration Form is submitted. The person there asked if I wanted to take the PCR test at the airport or near my place in Seoul. The difference is that if you choose to take the test at the airport, you will have to stay there until the results come back (could be several hours). However if you choose to test near home, you can leave the airport and then get tested within 24 hrs or so. This was my experience as of August 2021.
Note: This is only for foreigners who have a long term visa for Korea and have been vaccinated abroad (outside of Korea). If your situation is not the same, then your requirements may be different.
Sep 27, 2021, 12:05 am
#66
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Just sharing with you my experience.
When arriving at ICN airport, the first checkpoint is where the Yellow Health Declaration Form is submitted. The person there asked if I wanted to take the PCR test at the airport or near my place in Seoul. The difference is that if you choose to take the test at the airport, you will have to stay there until the results come back (could be several hours). However if you choose to test near home, you can leave the airport and then get tested within 24 hrs or so. This was my experience as of August 2021.
Note: This is only for foreigners who have a long term visa for Korea and have been vaccinated abroad (outside of Korea). If your situation is not the same, then your requirements may be different.
When arriving at ICN airport, the first checkpoint is where the Yellow Health Declaration Form is submitted. The person there asked if I wanted to take the PCR test at the airport or near my place in Seoul. The difference is that if you choose to take the test at the airport, you will have to stay there until the results come back (could be several hours). However if you choose to test near home, you can leave the airport and then get tested within 24 hrs or so. This was my experience as of August 2021.
Note: This is only for foreigners who have a long term visa for Korea and have been vaccinated abroad (outside of Korea). If your situation is not the same, then your requirements may be different.
Sep 29, 2021, 8:04 pm
#67
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
Those that have been vaccinated in Korea may have an easier time when they come back to Korea.
Oct 3, 2021, 6:40 am
#69
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Europe
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This clearly indicates there is a need for a COVID test on arrival in Korea. I dont understand some of the discussion here that says you do not need one ?
Oct 4, 2021, 10:57 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
They only test AT THE AIRPORT if you want to get it done there and wait for like exemption (you don't have to) OR if you are showing symptoms and they won't let you go any further in the process to enter Korea.
Oct 14, 2021, 2:57 pm
#71
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Europe
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Airport Quarantine Taxi
I have read about “Airport Quarantine Taxis.”
Can anyone comment in any issues with getting a taxi from the airport to downtown Seoul ?
Can anyone comment in any issues with getting a taxi from the airport to downtown Seoul ?
Oct 14, 2021, 6:23 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: ALL Gold, MPC Silver
Posts: 175
I don't know if it's typical, but the taxi I took was a van (despite arriving alone) with a flimsy plastic sheet between the driver and the passenger.
It cost 60,000~70,000 KRW to Hannam-dong and the prices are fixed for each part of Seoul.
The Seoul metropolitan area was covered and I'm not sure how it is for other areas.
Oct 19, 2021, 2:57 pm
#73
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA Exec Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 77
Yup, I missed the arrival testing requirement when I went in August. To be fair, at no time was this ever communicated to me. Turns out it was on the Quarantine Exemption certificate that I got in my email... in Korean, which I don't read/write/speak. Since my visit was so short (about 50 hours), no one ever caught it (including me) until after I left.
When I went back with my spouse earlier this month, we had our arrival test scheduled at the airport. Very easy.
In fact, I only caught the arrival testing requirement the second time because my spouse's Quarantine Exemption certificate was in English and he asked me about it!
When I went back with my spouse earlier this month, we had our arrival test scheduled at the airport. Very easy.
In fact, I only caught the arrival testing requirement the second time because my spouse's Quarantine Exemption certificate was in English and he asked me about it!
Last edited by silly_stitcher; Oct 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm Reason: ETA more info
Oct 20, 2021, 8:18 pm
#74
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Yup, I missed the arrival testing requirement when I went in August. To be fair, at no time was this ever communicated to me. Turns out it was on the Quarantine Exemption certificate that I got in my email... in Korean, which I don't read/write/speak. Since my visit was so short (about 50 hours), no one ever caught it (including me) until after I left.
When I went back with my spouse earlier this month, we had our arrival test scheduled at the airport. Very easy.
In fact, I only caught the arrival testing requirement the second time because my spouse's Quarantine Exemption certificate was in English and he asked me about it!
When I went back with my spouse earlier this month, we had our arrival test scheduled at the airport. Very easy.
In fact, I only caught the arrival testing requirement the second time because my spouse's Quarantine Exemption certificate was in English and he asked me about it!
Dec 1, 2021, 9:19 am
#75
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Petroleum
Posts: 270
Due to arrive at ICN on 4th December from LHR with a quarantine exemption certificate in hand.
Do I understand today's news correctly that the certificate is now rendered meaningless and quarantine will be mandatory, if I proceed with the trip?
I've asked the question of the Korean Embassy in London but waiting for a response and their website news page is woeful!
Do I understand today's news correctly that the certificate is now rendered meaningless and quarantine will be mandatory, if I proceed with the trip?
I've asked the question of the Korean Embassy in London but waiting for a response and their website news page is woeful!