During the press briefing on January 4, KDCA explained the COVID-19 control measures that will be taken in light of the continued risk factors in the midst of the third wave of COVID-19 that began in November.

Current risk factors related to COVID-19 includes:

- Cases with transmission route under investigation is 27.7% for last week; positivity rate is over 2%

- Outbreaks related to vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, and correctional facilities continue

- The variant COVID-19 detected in the UK, South Africa, and other countries have higher transmissibility

To facilitate early case detection and timely contact tracing, temporary screening centers have been extended for 2 more week and installed in areas outside of the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

Social Distancing Level 2.5 for the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Level 2 for other areas have been extended for another two weeks (January 1-17).

Preemptive testing at vulnerable facilities such as convalescent hospitals will be strengthened (nationwide, once per week, more facilities included). On-site inspection for vulnerable facilities will be continued. Emergency on-site response teams will be dispatched if an outbreak occurs at such facilities.

To help block further importation of the more transmissible variant virus strain, all incoming travelers will be required to submit proof of negative PCR test result prior to departure, effective January 8 for airport arrivals and January 15 for seaport arrivals. Managed quarantine requirement for overseas arrivals will be strengthened, including requiring an additional test prior to ending quarantine. For travelers arriving from the UK and South Africa, strict infection control and contact management will be applied for precaution.

KDCA also asked healthcare facilities to actively issue a COVID-19 test request for patients presenting with respiratory symptoms or otherwise suspected of possible infection.