Korea reopens to tourists but with new entry reqs

Having visited a range of countries post Covid I find the process for Korea is very tedious. The processing at the airport took rather long (much longer than I experienced it both in Bangkok and Phuket) but having all documents properly sorted means most of this time is actually waiting for others to be processed until it’s finally your turn. There weren’t many people ahead of me, just some leftovers from a Singapore Airlines flight and it still took me roughly two hours until I was done with everything.

The two PCR Tests (one before departure and one after arrival) are costly and so far this test done at Incheon was the most aggressively administered test I ever had in the last two years. I had friends who reported the same previously and it was done in such a rough fashion that I even got upset at one point.

https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/04/13/experience-report-south-korea-has-reopened-for-tourism-but-are-they-serious-about-it/

Apply for Electronic Travel Authorization
PCR Test prior to arrival
PCR Test on arrival
Q code
Self-administered test on Day 7 after arriving
All documents in printed form


Almost as many hoops as an E2 visa.

Doesn't seem like a big deal.
Except for the K-ETA, I've done all of these multiple times, and while they're irritating, they weren't much of a hassle - I have to do the self test twice a week, and can now get it done in under a minute, lol.

I've had better luck with the PCR testing than the person in the quote apparently: it was quick, painless, and professionally conducted. I find that it help to tilt your head back to they don't have to wiggle the swab around to get it into one's sinuses. They're not cheap though, especially if doing them abroad. 

In any case, this all seems very much like closing the barn doors after the cows have already left: from what I hear, more than 50% of South Koreans have or have already had covid. Maybe they're trying to keep out some of the less pleasant recombinants that are floating out there?

Almost as many hoops as an E2 visa.

- Get a uni degree (3/4 years)
- Crim record check
- Find a job to hire you

That's................ That's quite a lot more work than "Go online and fill out a form, oh, also stick this up your nose."

- Get a uni degree (3/4 years)
- Crim record check
- Find a job to hire you

That's................ That's quite a lot more work than "Go online and fill out a form, oh, also stick this up your nose."

You don't seem to recognize hyperbole.

You don't seem to recognize hyperbole.

Your hyperbole is so subtle is would take 3 scientists at CERN 14 years and a 3 billion dollar budget just to find it, with an additional 400million in PR just for the public to be convinced of the findings.

Your hyperbole is so subtle is would take 3 scientists at CERN 14 years and a 3 billion dollar budget just to find it, with an additional 400million in PR just for the public to be convinced of the findings.

Was that... hyperbole?

I'm waiting for them to scrap the requirement of a PCR test for re-entry. Travelling abroad won't be much fun if you're constantly worrying about getting stranded due to a positive PCR test.

Agreed. The PCR crap sucks.

If people one day realize it’s never going away and is not that dangerous then we’ll be able to live normally again. Vaccines have been around for a long time. They offer good protection on top of the good protection of one’s immune system.
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“COVID-19 cannot be eradicated, it’s impossible,” said Dr. Peter Juni, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Toronto and scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. “It’s not the same as the measles, it’s more like influenza.”
——————————————————————-

“Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,” said Dr. Fauci.
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“I think it’s hard to process what’s actually happening right now, which is most people are going to get Covid, all right?” said Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration.
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Since coronavirus is never going away and will get to just about everybody, how do we proceed?

By being healthy to keep our immune systems strong and getting vaccinated. Three vaccine doses. Maybe a fourth later.

Then stop worrying about it.

It’s never going away.

And it will ultimately find just about everybody.

Want to be scared forever?

Want to be restricted forever?

I don’t.

Want to be scared forever?

Want to be restricted forever?

I don’t.

Stop being scared.

It's okay to go live your life, LI.

This weekend try getting away from the internet. Get outside and enjoy yourself.

Will you do this? Unlikely.

But give it a try.

You might surprise yourself.

Huh? I’m not scared. Coronavirus is less dangerous than you and others believe(d).

Of course I’ll go out and live my life. It’s what I do. But these travel restrictions suck.

Covid itself won’t die out, but maybe the fear of it will. The sooner that happens the better. Triple vaccinated people should not feel threatened by it. It’s nothing. Not even a danger for the vast majority of unvaccinated. But yes, folks, get vaccinated for extra protection.

Huh? I’m not scared. Coronavirus is less dangerous than you and others believe(d).

Of course I’ll go out and live my life. It’s what I do. But these travel restrictions suck.

Thankfully Korea listens to people's complaints.  Not like in Canada where Turdo is stubborn and ignores people.  About as ignorant and arrogant as they come.  Korea may have garbage wages but it's a good place to wait until corona is done.  Then, move on. 

Should be nice weather this weekend.  Get out and get the vitamin D from the sun and cardio for the lungs.  It will be good for everyone here.  (I rarely ever am on this site on weekends.)  Get out on the bike and get at er....

Covid itself won’t die out, but maybe the fear of it will. The sooner that happens the better. Triple vaccinated people should not feel threatened by it. It’s nothing. Not even a danger for the vast majority of unvaccinated. But yes, folks, get vaccinated for extra protection.

Spanish FLu did and many others did.  Maybe it existed after that but everyone was immune and no threat to humanity.  Already each version of covid is weaker and weaker.

Get out at 'er and get yer vitamin D this weekend.  Just like last weekend.  People actually do waygook on a weekend or a holiday?  I suppose I go on once in a blue moon.  But mostly this is just desk warming time. 

Get out at 'er and get yer vitamin D this weekend.  Just like last weekend.  People actually do waygook on a weekend or a holiday?  I suppose I go on once in a blue moon.  But mostly this is just desk warming time.

Have you ever done the Seoul to Busan cycling route? Maybe with covid travel restrictions it's the perfect time to try it.

The Seoul to Busan trail has been on my bucket list for a while. But there are sooo many amazing back road routes in my province and in nearby Gangwondo that I never quite manage to find the time for it. 

Nice country-side pics, hangook!

Let's share some pics. We rarely do that on waygook!

"A Weekend in Mungyeong."

Get out at 'er and get yer vitamin D this weekend.  Just like last weekend.  People actually do waygook on a weekend or a holiday?  I suppose I go on once in a blue moon.  But mostly this is just desk warming time.

been meaning to get out and bike a bit more (upgraded from my shitty folding one recently). still havent found the time though, i'll have to set a sunday aside or something.