New “Quarantinable Disease Risk Areas” applicable since July 1, 2019

Choi Go-Eun, Son Tae-Jong, Park Gi-Jun
Division of Quarantine Support, Center for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, KCDC

The National Quarantine Station has been strengthening a quarantine inspection system for passengers from and into “Quarantinable Disease Risk Areas” to protect the health of the people and to prevent the spread of emerging infectious diseases into Korea. According to “The Quarantine Act,” the director of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) can designate and release “Quarantinable Disease Risk Areas” twice a year. From July 1, 2019, ‘Quarantinable disease risk areas (including areas adjacent to MERS-risk area)’ are slated to change from 67 countries to 66 countries* (Cholera, 17; Plague, 1; Yellow fever, 42; Avian influenza, 1; Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), 10; polio, 8). Overseas travelers are advised to check the newly revising ‘Quarantinable disease risk areas’ before departure and submit a health questionnaire to the quarantine officers of the National Quarantine Stations at the points of entry into Korea if they have stayed in or passed through the ‘Quarantinable disease risk areas (including areas adjacent to MERS-risk area).’

* Some countries have overlapping areas with ‘Quarantinable disease risk areas.’

Keywords: Quarantine, Quarantinable disease risk areas, The Quarantine Act