New travel restrictions may require rapid PCR test within 24 hours of departure.

[Dashinka 24,228]

1 hour ago, Kor2USA said:

You need to keep the phone "moving"... so your case manager will call you if there is no phone activity (not using apps/ no pick ups etc). 

They're also supposed to call you once or twice a day. So, if you're not at home when they call... 

 

If you don't test positive after self -isolation is over.. I don't think anyone would know (if you managed to leave the house undetected) BUT if you test positive after you've been told to self-isolate they can and do pull up your credit and check card transactions and they'll check CCTV (CCTV is all over the place) to see if you ever left home during your quarantine.

As a foreigner you're deported if you break the rules and I believe its a fine of up to 10 million won (+/- USD $8000) or a year in prison for Korean citizens. 

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7711349/

 

Also, if you are non-compliant/ don't have a phone you're supposed to wear an ankle monitor. 

 

 

Wow, I have been to South Korea man times, but not since the pandemic (last visit Dec. 2019).  I did not know how intrusive the ROK government could be.  Anyway, it does not appear as though the US government is going to go that far at least at this point.

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

6 hours ago, Mike E said:

I give up on flying internationally.  
 

 

2027 or bust!

[stag 51]

I didn't see that Rapid Tests would be accepted. It seems the same PCR test requirement but now 24 hours. This just going to be a big headache for flying given some of those clinics sometimes take a little over 24 hours. 

[Adventine 3,189]

8 hours ago, Scandi said:

An antigen covid-test is one thing, that can be done within 24 hours easily. But many (most?) testing places take well over 24 hours for a PCR test. That can be tricky, and therefore probably not even likely to turn into a requirement. 

 

I hope you're right. If the US stops accepting antigen tests, and will insist on only PCR tests for entry, international travel is going to become even messier than it is now.

 

If the US will insist on PCR tests only, I'm worried about what "24 hours validity" means, exactly. Is it 24 hours after they take the sample from you? Or 24 hours from the time the result is printed out?  It makes a difference, especially if the labs are swamped and take longer than expected to release the results.

 

My husband and I are going to Costa Rica next week and we've bought the Abbott antigen tests for testing in our hotel rooms, AND booked a backup appointment for a PCR test at a Costa Rican hospital. It's a bit annoying to have to replan our itinerary around new requirements. If we run into major problems in Costa Rica, we'll probably hold off on more international trips for now.

[Redro 4,610]

3 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Wow, I have been to South Korea man times, but not since the pandemic (last visit Dec. 2019).  I did not know how intrusive the ROK government could be.  Anyway, it does not appear as though the US government is going to go that far at least at this point.

Don't get me wrong. I love Korea and I fully support their policies 

Don't want to derail but I just don't think the US could ever ape the strict requirements other countries enforce. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Kor2USA

[Dashinka 24,228]

59 minutes ago, stag said:

I didn't see that Rapid Tests would be accepted. It seems the same PCR test requirement but now 24 hours. This just going to be a big headache for flying given some of those clinics sometimes take a little over 24 hours. 

I agree, plus there will be a premium.  My wife needed the PCR test back in late May for her trip, of course with the Memorial Day holiday eliminating one day, we had to go to a travel medical service to get the PCR test (Rapid or Antigen testing not accepted by Russia) and ensure the results would be done in 2 days for her case.  She actually did get the results in less than 8 hours, but it did cost us $150.

[Mike E 11,735]

1 hour ago, Carpe Vinum said:

2027 or bust!

You sweet optimist  you.  

Edited December 2, 2021 by Mike E

[igoyougoduke 1,639]

11 hours ago, KSVJ said:

I'm confused why they're doing all of this for a variant that's only given people mild symptoms so far? It's like shutting the world down for a cold. I'm not against the vaccine or anything I got my booster today...but this is insane. I'm travelling to see my fiance towards the end of this month (if the borders are still open) and now I'm scrambling to figure out the new rules. These tests are not cheap when you're abroad.

Nazi style regimen is coming back.... 

[igoyougoduke 1,639]

1 hour ago, stag said:

I didn't see that Rapid Tests would be accepted. It seems the same PCR test requirement but now 24 hours. This just going to be a big headache for flying given some of those clinics sometimes take a little over 24 hours. 

i have a hard time believing any of the testing. its all about making money scam. The greatest robbery of the decade.  Trillions of money printing... for a flu virus 

[millefleur 5,045]

48 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

I agree, plus there will be a premium.  My wife needed the PCR test back in late May for her trip, of course with the Memorial Day holiday eliminating one day, we had to go to a travel medical service to get the PCR test (Rapid or Antigen testing not accepted by Russia) and ensure the results would be done in 2 days for her case.  She actually did get the results in less than 8 hours, but it did cost us $150.

Mine was $100 and it was also expedited. A pretty shady/bare bones looking place opened here in an empty store front and the only thing they do is Covid tests. I assume someone is making a pretty penny on all this. 

[Dashinka 24,228]

4 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Mine was $100 and it was also expedited. A pretty shady/bare bones looking place opened here in an empty store front and the only thing they do is Covid tests. I assume someone is making a pretty penny on all this. 

The one we went to was not that shady.  They cater to travelers doing things like required vaccinations, etc. 

[millefleur 5,045]

Just now, Dashinka said:

The one we went to was not that shady.  They cater to travelers doing things like required vaccinations, etc. 

That makes sense. It just amazes that businesses can open up and function and their only product is Covid tests. We do have a lot of travellers here though being near O'Hare and all so that might be why. 

 

People are tired of putting off travel plans and as long as the tests are required I suppose it will be good business. 

[Ellie_7 103]

The point isn't wearing a mask or taking a test or getting a vaccine. The point is control.

[Ben & Katy 168]

19 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Even though the new variant is NOT causing hospitalizations or deaths........this is a typical overreaction with no thought to logic or reason......it's craziness, imho.  Hopefully, this new 24 hour requirement will allow rapid testing.  The quarantine requirement is totally crazy!!!!!  The courts need to nip this in the bud.

I hate to say this but I believe that this is what our world leaders want.  They want the middle class squashed by having businesses closed and restricted. 

[Ben & Katy 168]

19 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

My wife just had to undergo a strict mandatory 2 week quarantine in a Taiwan quarantine hotel (self pay) when she arrived there on November 2nd.  I guess I'm just nervous that something similar might be instituted in the US.  In reality, setting up something like that here would be impossible in the next week......

We just crossed back into Arizona by land from Mexico last week and the agents never asked for proof of negative test/or vaccine.  We took our vaccine cards just in case.  This was all with the expired Green Card/18 month extension letter.  I am not sure if airports and land ports are doing different things or the same things.  They were supposed to ask tourists crossing from Mexico for the proof of vaccine but so far the agents are not enforcing it for the Mexican tourists.