<Anchor> The
number of new coronavirus cases has fallen to 10,000.
As the decline continues, starting tomorrow (23rd), not only PCR test but also professional rapid antigen test results will be recognized when entering Korea.
Nursing home visits may continue for the time being.
Reporter Kim Deok-hyun will explain.
<Reporter>
People line up at the arrival hall of the airport.
Until today, to enter Korea, you must have a PCR test negative confirmation received within 48 hours before boarding.
[Geum Seong-hye / Inbound travelers: (per person) I came in after paying about 44 euros (PCR test).
I thought it was a waste of money.
I didn't want to receive it because it was a burden, but I had to do it to enter Korea, so I had no choice but to...
.]
However, starting tomorrow, even a professional rapid antigen test, which is cheaper than a PCR test, will be allowed to enter the country if it is negative within 24 hours.
[Sohn Young-rae / Jung Su-bon, head of the social strategy group (last 13th): There have been criticisms that it is not easy to receive PCR tests in foreign countries or that the cost burden is considerable.
Reflecting these points, we are moving toward accrediting the rapid antigen test for professionals...
.]
It also speeds up the daily recovery of nursing hospitals and facilities.
Contact visits at nursing hospitals and facilities, which were temporarily implemented, are permitted for the time being indefinitely.
From tomorrow, even those who have not received the vaccine due to adverse reactions, etc. can have a contact visit if they have a doctor's opinion.
However, as the number of elderly deaths in nursing homes is high, the quarantine authorities plan to simultaneously check the status of infection control, such as separation of the movement lines of confirmed patients, along with a survey on ventilation facilities in nursing hospitals across the country.
(Video coverage: Park Jin-ho, video editing: Jeon Min-gyu)