South Korea further eases travel as it lifts Covid-19 PCR testing requirement for inbound travellers from 1 October. The decision means the removal of all anti-virus restrictions regarding inbound travellers.

Earlier this month, South Korea removed the mandatory pre-departure testing requirement for outbound travellers. Those who show virus symptoms within three days of their arrival here can undergo a free PCR test at public health centres across the country, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

The change comes after a government advisory committee recommended ending mandatory predeparture PCR tests for inbound travellers.  Asian countries including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have lifted testing requirements in recent months as the region welcomes back travel after relying heavily on border restrictions earlier in the pandemic.

The proportion of infections from overseas has also dropped. It decreased to 0.9 per cent in September, from 1.3 per cent the previous month. The fatality rate of the BA.5 subvariant is quite low, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said, citing these as reasons for its decision to ease COVID-19 measures.

South Korea lifted quarantine requirements for vaccinated tourists in April and dropped quarantine for all arrivals regardless of vaccination status in July. Tourists have been slow to return, however, with passenger traffic at main gateway Incheon Airport in July reaching less than one-quarter of pre-pandemic levels.