The Korean government, which had only said it would review for several days, also came up with a countermeasure. By the end of the year, it has decided to stop operating incoming flights from the UK. He said he would strengthen the test, but experts say it is not enough. Japan has decided to ban all foreigners who have stayed in the UK from entering the country.
This is Seo Young-ji.
[기자]
From today (23rd) to 31st, aircraft from the UK cannot enter Korea.
To stop the mutant virus found in the UK.
[윤태호/중앙사고수습본부 방역총괄반장 : 영국발 확진자를 발견하는 경우에는 모든 유전자증폭검사를 실시하여 변이 바이러스 여부를 확인할 것입니다.]
We have also stopped issuing quarantine exemptions for our mission in England.
Now all entrants from the UK must be quarantined for 14 days.
When quarantining is finished, a gene amplification test must be performed again.
The fever standard when entering the country has also been strengthened from 37.5 degrees to 37.3 degrees.
Flights to the UK will operate as is.
Domestically, there are about 4 flights a week from the UK.
In the past two months, 15 people from the UK have been confirmed.
Among them, 11 are Koreans and 4 are foreigners.
The mutant virus has not yet been discovered in Korea.
However, some point out that this measure is insufficient.
Japan has banned all foreigners who have a record of staying in England at all.
Blocking flights from the UK is basic.
The self-isolation, which was exempted from Japanese and foreigners living in Japan, when returning from business trips to the UK, was also decided again.
[천은미/이대목동병원 호흡기내과 교수 : 우리도 막아야 해요. 그 바이러스까지 들어오면 이제 방법이 없을 거예요. 무조건 막아야 합니다.]
Experts have stressed that as the virus is already spreading across Europe, stronger measures should be considered quickly.