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| Quarantine officials guide travelers from China in the arrivals hall at Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. Newsis |
Travelers from China account for 76% of 172 imported infection cases, Tuesday
By Lee Hyo-jin
A man of Chinese nationality has escaped a quarantine facility, Tuesday night, where he was placed in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Korea earlier in the day.
The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said Wednesday that the 41-year-old Chinese national, who had tested positive in a PCR test upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, disappeared from a hotel on Yeongjongdo Island at around 10 p.m. Tuesday. The hotel is currently being used as a government-designated isolation facility for foreign nationals.
The man allegedly ran away after arriving at the hotel with other virus carriers via a government-provided bus. Footage from surveillance cameras showed that he was last spotted near a large retailer located about 300 meters from the hotel, but his whereabouts are still unknown.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said it is cooperating with law enforcement authorities to track him down as soon as possible, warning that those who violate quarantine requirements may face imprisonment of up to one year or a 10 million won ($7,800) fine under the Infectious Disease Prevention Act.
"The police have launched a formal investigation into the suspect for alleged violation of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act. He is set to be deported based on the relevant laws, and will not be able to enter the country for a certain period of time," senior health official Kim Joo-young said during a briefing, Wednesday.
In response to a query regarding whether the health authorities are considering disclosing the man's face so as to speed up the investigation process, he replied, "We will discuss the matter with the police and immigration authorities."
The health ministry vowed that it will pay more attention to prevent the recurrence of such cases as Korea is strengthening its entry requirements for visitors from China in order to prevent an influx of infections from the neighboring country.
A total of 172 imported cases were reported for Tuesday, among which 131 were from China, which accounted for 76 percent, according to the KDCA. Of the 172 cases, 135 were foreign nationals, while 37 were Korean nationals. Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 3, the percentage of Chinese nationals who tested positive in imported cases stood at 42 percent.
From Monday, all travelers from mainland China arriving by air or sea are obligated to submit a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to their entry, or a negative anti-gen test result taken within 24 hours prior, followed by another PCR test upon arrival. They should also register their address in Korea and their contact information through the Q-code system.
Starting this Saturday, travelers from Hong Kong and Macau will also be required to submit negative pre-entry test results.
The toughened measures come as Korea begins to see a rise in infection cases from China after the latter abruptly lifted its zero-COVID policy measures. The Korean government may introduce additional measures if the number of overseas cases increases or new variants are confirmed.
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