South Korea mentioned Friday it could start issuing short-term visas to vacationers from China once more, ending a COVID-19-linked restriction that sparked a livid response and tit-for-tat measures from Beijing.
In January, Seoul imposed journey necessities, together with visa restrictions and PCR testing, on all guests from China, because the world’s most-populous nation battled a surge in coronavirus circumstances.
But South Korea mentioned the speed of passengers from China testing constructive on arrival had dropped to 1.4 p.c final week, down from 20 p.c when the curbs have been first launched.
As a outcome, Seoul will “remove short-term visa restrictions on China and resume issuing them starting from February 11”, the nation’s illness management heart mentioned in an announcement.
The drop displays the present scenario in China, it mentioned, the place there have been “no signs of new coronavirus spread or mutations after the lunar new year holidays.”
Days after Seoul stopped issuing the visas in January, Beijing pushed again by suspending the granting of short-term visas for South Koreans, and calling Seoul’s measures “discriminatory.”
Other restrictions, together with testing necessities, stay in place.
Travelers from China should present a adverse take a look at earlier than departure and bear a PCR take a look at throughout the first day of arrival.
Those testing constructive are required to be quarantined for per week.
South Korea had eliminated pre-flight and on-arrival testing necessities for vacationers from all different nations final 12 months.
Seoul not too long ago dropped guidelines requiring folks to put on masks in most indoor areas, ending one of many nation’s final main pandemic restrictions as COVI-19 circumstances dwindle. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
