- Title: South Korea halts quarantine exemptions for vaccinated travellers due to Omicron
- Date: 2nd December 2021
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (DECEMBER 2, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 48-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN MAN YOON JEONG-IL, SAYING: "I was thinking about planning a trip (abroad) next year as we were entering a 'Living with COVID-19' phase in November. Then with the new variant that was discovered recently, I am doubting if that will ever be possi
- Embargoed: 16th December 2021 08:47
- Keywords: COVID-19 Omicron South Korea airport qurantine varient
- Location: CHEONGJU, SEOUL, INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
- City: CHEONGJU, SEOUL, INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA005F6CF6TJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Korea reported on Thursday (December 2) a new record high of daily coronavirus cases, as authorities halted quarantine exemptions for fully vaccinated inbound travellers for two weeks in a bid to fend off the Omicron variant.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 5,266 cases for Wednesday (December 1), a day after the daily tally rose above 5,000 for the first time amid concerns over a sharp rise in patients with severe symptoms.
South Korea will require a 10-day quarantine for all inbound travellers for two weeks starting Friday (December 3), halting exemptions given earlier to fully vaccinated people, the KDCA said.
The number of cases has spiked since distancing curbs were relaxed last month, and the government this week shelved plans for further easing due to growing strains on its healthcare system from surging hospitalization and death rates as well as Omicron concerns.
(Production: Daewoung Kim, Heejung Jung, Yeni Seo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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