Covid-19 is being affected a lot worldwide. I’m sure most of you are worried about infection when you travel abroad. Korea is doing its best to prevent the spread of corona. Today, we will explain how the Korean government deals with Covid-19, and how it affects your life in Korea.

First, when you enter the country, you will come to Incheon international airport, which is one of the greatest airports in the world. You will pass a quarantine inspection after entering Korea. Incheon International Airport is one of the best airports in the world. Incheon International Airport is always doing its best to prevent Corona on 24/7. All employees wear protective equipment. As an airport with the world’s best quarantine system, it will minimize the inconvenience of your trip. At this time, you will complete your temperature check and quarantine declaration form. After installing the ‘Self-quarantine Safety App’, you will be protected and monitored for two weeks. If you have any symptoms after the quarantine procedure, you will be examined at a screening center for the case. Foreigners with no symptoms will be moved to their residence and will be subject to diagnostic tests within three days of their arrival. Inspection fees are free for all foreigners who have entered the country from abroad. Airport limousines, quarantine taxis, and self-driving cars are available for transportation from the airport to the residential area. If you have any questions, please contact the Recruiter.

Next, I’ll tell you about the place of self-quarantine. The place of self-quarantine will be held at the accommodation provided by your employer. If the accommodation is not available, you will be moved to a foreign quarantine facility. The fees for quarantine facilities will be supported by 50% to 100% depending on the employer. For more information, please contact the Recruiter. Next, I will tell you about the food preparation during the self-quarantine period. Recently, the government has provided hygiene products to foreigners within one to two days of your arrival, but the government has not provided daily necessities and groceries. You can also shop groceries online (ex. Coupang, ssg) to shop your own groceries for food preparation (You can enjoy Korea’s fast delivery system!). I hope you have a healthy self-quarantine period while eating delicious and various foods.

Moreover, Korea is making all-out efforts to prevent living through five stages of social development. The table above describes the five steps taken from the article ‘The Korea Herald’. The steps vary from time to time, so please check the social distancing steps when you arrive and follow the instructions. In this regard, if you have any questions, please contact the Recruiter. From November 13, 2020, Korea has issued an administrative order requiring people to wear masks. Please always wear a mask all the time. If you do not wear a mask, you will be charged 100,000 won(approximately $90). On the other hand, you may wonder if you can’t enjoy a variety of cultural life due to the Covid-19 situation. As I mentioned above, you can enjoy a healthy and enjoyable cultural life if you follow the guidelines.
Please refer to the English site of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for continuous updates on Covid-19.

Of course, I hope it doesn’t happen during your life in Korea, but I will tell you how to deal with the symptoms of Covid-19. Korea operates ‘Foreign Information Center’ 24 hours a day. In addition to questions related to Covid-19, they also provide counseling on various immigration/residence. Please call 1345 to follow the instructions. The Foreign Information Center (1345) operates in 20 languages including Korean, English, and Chinese during weekdays. From 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day, only three languages are available: Korean, English, and Chinese. Also, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s call center has strengthened interpretation support. Therefore, if a problem occurs, please call the disease control and prevention call center immediately and take action. Moreover, if you feel threatened, please call your country’s embassy in Korea.

If you are confirmed after the test, you will be quarantined and treated immediately. Unfortunately, people in all countries do not receive medical aid through mutual treaties. New Zealand, England, Canada, Australia, and Ireland citizens are fully funded through mutual treaties with the Korean government. Unfortunately, the people from the United States, South Africa, are not supported.

Lastly, I will explain part of the salary. Most schools and academies are operating normally following the social distancing. However, in inevitable situations, schools or academies are sometimes closed. Most academies or schools use online platforms to give lectures even though they are closed due to Covid-19. But in the worst-case scenario, the employer might unpaid your salary, while schools or academies are closed. However, Korea has a prevention system for the Covid-19 situation, and employers are doing their best to provide classes through various preparations.

Here are the useful links that you can use.

Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (http://www.kdca.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30401000000&bid=0029)
Central Disease Control Headquarters
(http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/index.do)