S. Korea mulls mandatory home quarantine for arrivals from Europe

S. Korea mulls mandatory home quarantine for arrivals from Europe

Mandatory
Seoul, March 19, 2020 (Yonhap/NAN) South Korea is considering imposing 14 days of mandatory quarantine at home on all arrivals from Europe in an effort to stem imported cases of the new coronavirus, government sources said on Thursday.

The government, starting at midnight, expanded its special inspection procedures to all South Koreans and foreigners entering the country.

“The government is strongly considering whether to oblige all entrants from Europe to stay in isolation at home for 14 days.

“The measure is highly likely to be announced during a government meeting tomorrow,’’ said a government official who asked not to be named.

Currently, the Seoul government asks arrivals to voluntarily stay in self-quarantine for two weeks.

They are also required to download a self-check mobile application that allows them to regularly report their state of health to the authorities.

Report says the measure comes as confirmed cases of COVID-19 have surged in Europe in recent weeks.

The number of patients in Italy topped 35,000, the largest number of infections outside China, the epicentre of the global pandemic.

According to the sources, the government, however, is not considering banning entrants from Europe.  (Yonhap/NAN)

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Edited by Abiodun Oluleye/Felix Ajide