South Korea to end pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement for international arrivals

South Korea to end pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement for international arrivals

Workers wearing protective gear check passengers from overseas as they arrive at the Incheon International Airport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Incheon, South Korea, December 28, 2020. REUTERS

SEOUL — South Korea will end the pre-departure COVID-19 test rule for travelers to the country starting on Saturday, Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday.

South Korea lifted most of its pandemic-related restrictions in May, but has maintained some of the strictest border measures among major economies, requiring inbound travellers to present a negative coronavirus test result taken before departure.

Daily COVID infections in the country have been hovering around 100,000 in recent weeks after reaching more than 180,000 in mid-August.

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