South Korea's COVID-19 Procedures for Entering Passengers (Self-Quarantine) Review
South Korea was one of the first countries to see an initial spike in COVID-19 cases late February and during the month of March 2020. Numbers have been low until mid-August, when another spike occured (due to a political rally at Gwanghwamun Square and transmission among members of a specific church). Regardless, South Korea's handle on COVID-19 is like no other, especially with incoming travelers. Here is my experience!
Traveling to South Korea
As a first stage of defense against COVID-19, each passenger traveling to South Korea is required to have their temperatures checked before being allowed to board the plane to South Korea. There weren't many people on my flight -- almost everybody was able to have their own row...in economy! That definitely made the 13-hour flight from LAX to ICN much better. I arrived in Korea the afternoon of July 14, 2020. Even though there weren't many people on my flight, it took me almost 2 hours to get out of immigration because of the many newly-implemented COVID-related stations we had to pass through.
Incheon Airport (ICN) Procedures for Arriving Passengers
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I downloaded the app before arriving, so I was prepared. However, I had to wait for the people in front of me to finish their downloads and inputting their information before I could be helped. The staff definitely could have streamlined this process because many of us had to wait for the passengers in front to download the app, even if we already had it downloaded. It took a long time, especially because there were some passengers who didn't know or understand what to do.
We are instructed to record any symptoms (temperature, cough, sore throat, and/or dyspnea) on the app twice a day for 14 days: in the morning before 10:00 AM and in the evening before 9:00 PM. However, I didn't know this, so I was late the first three times.
I received a text from the Namyangju City Hall (남양주시청) my second evening at 19:52 reminding my to record my temperature. I didn't 😅 So, somebody from the office called my husband and I (twice!) around 20:00 to remind us. My bad!
The following day (July 16), I received a text from the Namyangju City Health Policy Division (남양주시보건정책과) that they will be delivering a Sanitary and Food kit to my front door. I received that package an hour later. The government gave me: 8 bowls-instant rice (백미밥), 4 packs-kimchi ramen (두레생협 김지라면), 4 packs-rice ramen (두레생협 쌀라면), 2 bags-roasted seaweed (김자반), 2 packs-instant seaweed soup (더연미역국), 2 packs-yellow pollack soup (더연황태국), 12-baked eggs (구운계란), thermometer, 5-masks, 500 mL-disinfectant spray, and a hazardous waste trash bag. It's quite nice that they provided all these goods without any charge to us. Not only that, they sent good quality foods, rather than just cheap food. America needs to jump on this.
On the seventh-day of quarantine (July 20), my husband received two calls and one text from the Namyangju City Mental Health and Welfare Center (남양주시정신건강복지센터) checking-up on my psychological status and how I was coping with the situation. The text message translates:
On July 26 (two days before I finished quarantine), I received a text informing me that the government is strengthening their quarantine rules by conducting randomized house inspections. This was implemented to decrease the amount of people who were breaking the quarantine rules by leaving their houses.
At the next station, the airport staff verified my guardian's and my cell phone number by calling the numbers. Then, I moved to another line where we had to fill out some paperwork. There were about 5 desks where five passengers can work on filling out their paperwork at a time. This is another area that could have been improved. We had to wait for the 5 people to finish their paperwork before we could even start filling out ours. Eventually, the staff gave all of us the paperwork to fill out while waiting in line. At the last station before the immigration booth, the workers just picked up our paperwork and a yellow paper that we received at the second station stating that we were verified. I made it to the immigration booth, which was the normal process -- they just checked our passport and visa. I picked up my luggages and finally went out.
When I exited the baggage claim, it was different from usual. It was very quiet and empty, at least right outside the baggage claim exit. All passengers were given an orange sticker and were instructed to go to Meeting Point West. We had no choice since all the other ways were blocked. There were special buses, trains, and taxis for arriving passengers to avoid contamination. My husband picked me up and was instructed by the staff that he couldn't even help me with my luggages. I was a little upset because I had 2 large bags, a carry-on, and my backpack, but whatever! I'm an independent woman ㅋㅋ I was just glad that I was finally free... kind of.
Self-Quarantine (at home!)
Now, it's self-quarantine time! I'm on a long-term visa (F-6), so I was able to self-quarantine at home. Those on visas shorter than 90 days are required to quarantine at facilities designated by the government. Passengers are required to pay upfront and can range from $1,400-$2,000 for 14 days, depending on where you are sent. The government guidelines for self-quarantine are shown above and is easily accessible from the app.
We are instructed to record any symptoms (temperature, cough, sore throat, and/or dyspnea) on the app twice a day for 14 days: in the morning before 10:00 AM and in the evening before 9:00 PM. However, I didn't know this, so I was late the first three times.
Another requirement was that I had to get tested for COVID-19 at a verified center within three days of arrival. Before leaving to get tested, I had to notify the Public Official in Charge that I had an appointment so that they knew why I was leaving my house (the app tracks your location 24/7 to ensure that you're following the self-quarantine rules). The closest center to me was the Namyangju City Health Center Corona-19 Clinic (남양주시보건소 코로나19선별진료소). I went the morning after I arrived (July 15). 
When I first arrived at the pop-up clinic, the staff instructed me to first put on gloves. Then I had to get the test kit and bring it to the man who would do my sampling. The tester man was in his own little container. In-between us, there was a clear wall with two gloves that he can use to test me. It's a little hard for me to explain, but it's similar to these telephone testing booths that you can see in the picture. He was also in protective gear, so risk of contamination were quite low because of all the protective measures he took. The man took both a nasal and oral swab. It was such a terrible experience. He had to swab my nose 2 times because I kept going backwards as he pushed the swab closer towards my brain. There was even a little blood on the swab! I hope to never experience that again. I shudder just imagining it. The mouth swab was simple and easy -- just swabbing the insides of your mouth. After getting tested, I dropped off my samples in a box, sanitized my gloves, then threw those gloves away. The whole process took about 5 minutes. Easy peasy! Plus, it was free! If I remember correctly, one testing is about $275 with insurance and about $500 without in Texas. Crazy!
When I first arrived at the pop-up clinic, the staff instructed me to first put on gloves. Then I had to get the test kit and bring it to the man who would do my sampling. The tester man was in his own little container. In-between us, there was a clear wall with two gloves that he can use to test me. It's a little hard for me to explain, but it's similar to these telephone testing booths that you can see in the picture. He was also in protective gear, so risk of contamination were quite low because of all the protective measures he took. The man took both a nasal and oral swab. It was such a terrible experience. He had to swab my nose 2 times because I kept going backwards as he pushed the swab closer towards my brain. There was even a little blood on the swab! I hope to never experience that again. I shudder just imagining it. The mouth swab was simple and easy -- just swabbing the insides of your mouth. After getting tested, I dropped off my samples in a box, sanitized my gloves, then threw those gloves away. The whole process took about 5 minutes. Easy peasy! Plus, it was free! If I remember correctly, one testing is about $275 with insurance and about $500 without in Texas. Crazy!
Food and supplies
The following day (July 16), I received a text from the Namyangju City Health Policy Division (남양주시보건정책과) that they will be delivering a Sanitary and Food kit to my front door. I received that package an hour later. The government gave me: 8 bowls-instant rice (백미밥), 4 packs-kimchi ramen (두레생협 김지라면), 4 packs-rice ramen (두레생협 쌀라면), 2 bags-roasted seaweed (김자반), 2 packs-instant seaweed soup (더연미역국), 2 packs-yellow pollack soup (더연황태국), 12-baked eggs (구운계란), thermometer, 5-masks, 500 mL-disinfectant spray, and a hazardous waste trash bag. It's quite nice that they provided all these goods without any charge to us. Not only that, they sent good quality foods, rather than just cheap food. America needs to jump on this.
That same day, my husband received a message that I was COVID-19 free! Yay!
The following day (July 17), I received another text from the Namyangju City Health Policy Division confirming that they have delivered the food and sanitary kit.
Mental Health Welfare Center
On the seventh-day of quarantine (July 20), my husband received two calls and one text from the Namyangju City Mental Health and Welfare Center (남양주시정신건강복지센터) checking-up on my psychological status and how I was coping with the situation. The text message translates:
"The Ministry of Health and Welfare has formed an Integrated Psychological Support Group' for those suffering from the Corona19 epidemic. We will contact you on your phone regarding the service delivery as soon as possible. We'll be with you to recover your mind.
For more information: Namyangju Health Center 031-590-4058"
This is a really great support group the government created to support those who are suffering psychologically from this pandemic. What is especially nice is that this service is also FREE. While I didn't utilize this service, it was nice that it was available. The Namyangju City Mental Health and Welfare Center followed-up on July 22 to ensure that I was still doing fine.
Last Days of Quarantine
On July 26 (two days before I finished quarantine), I received a text informing me that the government is strengthening their quarantine rules by conducting randomized house inspections. This was implemented to decrease the amount of people who were breaking the quarantine rules by leaving their houses.
The following day, July 27, they texted my husband informing us that my self-quarantine end date is July 28 at 12 noon. They sent another text to him and I on July 28 to inform us that my quarantine ends at 12 noon and to dispose of my hazardous garbage bag. And with that, I was free!
As a short summary
07/14: I arrived in Incheon, South Korea
07/15: Tested for COVID-19
07/16: Food and sanitary kit arrived. Also received news that I was COVID-19 free
07/20 and 07/22: Mental health and welfare center checked-up on my mental health
07/28: Freedom!
I think that South Korea has done a great job so far in keeping their COVID-19 cases low. They take many precautions to protect their people, including these first lines of defense. Although incoming passengers may be inconvenienced with the self-quarantine procedures, the government provides citizens and those with long-term visas with FREE food, sanitary supplies, COVID-19 testing, and mental health treatment. South Korea is a country that cares for its people. Unlike individualistic countries, this collectivist country looks out for each other and are of one mind. Therefore, the citizens worked quickly to adapt, following the social distancing parameters and listening to the government suggestions, which resulted in a contained COVID-19 situation. Additionally, those who violate these rules can be sent to jail for up to a year, pay fines of up to 10,000,000 KRW (~$8,100), or be deported.
With that all said, GO KOREA!
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