[Anchor]
Concerns are mounting in South Korea over a steady rise in the number of imported COVID-19 cases despite a slowdown in local infections.
Entry screening procedures for all arrivals from Europe have been strengthened as the situation worsens on the continent.
Sehhyeong Kim has the details.
[Reporter]
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1,440 passengers arrived at Incheon International Airport from Europe on Sunday.
One hundred and fifty-two of them showed symptoms related to the new coronavirus and were placed under quarantine at the airport for testing.
This is part of a new measure that took effect Sunday to test everyone from Europe regardless of nationality.
Those without symptoms are sent to eight separate facilities across the country to get tested and await their results.
Travelers who test negative for the virus are required to self-quarantine for 14 days either at their homes or government designated facilities.
Foreigners planning a short stay here are required to report their health conditions to South Korean health officials on a daily basis.
The government will pay for foreign patients' medical expenses as treating them will help protect Korean nationals.
Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health ministry official, told reporters that the government is mulling implementing similar measures for travelers from other parts of the world, including the United States.
Sehhyeong Kim, eFM News.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
