Important Resources and Information
In the light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Korea and globally, AustCham Korea has created a summary on the latest updates of the situation, sanitary measures and recommendations announced by the Australian and Korean governments.
Below you can find suggestions on websites, Facebook pages and apps to track COVID-19 outbreaks in Korea and also check the status of international travel.
Useful links from the Australian government and international outlets:
- Australian Government Department of Health
- Australian Department of Home Affairs
- Smartraveller.gov.au (South Korea)
- International SOS
- World Health Organisation
- Australian Government Support & Assistance:
Korean Government Resources:
- Ministry of Economy and Finance
- Ministry of Employment and Labor
- Ministry of Health and Welfare
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Useful links from local Korean outlets:
- Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC)
- Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare
- Seoul Global Cultural Center (also accessible via Facebook)
- Itaewon Global Village (with daily COVID-19 updates on Facebook)
- Southwest Global Center, Yeonnam Global Village, Yeoksam Global Village, Seorae Global Village, Ichon Global Village and Seongbuk Global Village are also worth following for neighbourhood-specific updates
- Yonhap News
- Korean Air (with an updated travel restrictions list by country)
Phone numbers:
- Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) treatment hotline at 1339 or 1345 (English)
Apps to download:
- Emergency Ready App – Official app by the Korean government that includes a translation of COVID-19 text message alerts. You can download it from Apple or Play store.
- Coronamap (https://coronamap.site/) shows the travel histories of confirmed COVID-19 patients.
- Coronaita (https://coronaita.com/#/) provides information on coronavirus-hit areas like a search engine.
- Coronavirus Australia app – Official app from the Australian Government, available for download on Apple App Store or Google Play. It is also possible to join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android for updates.
Summary of Travel Updates Between Korea and Australia
Leaving Korea
1. Re-entry permit is required. With effect from 01 June 2020, 0000hrs, long-term visa holders are required to apply for re-entry permit at local immigration office prior to leaving Korea if they wish to maintain their visa status and period of stay. Leaving Korea without a Re-entry Permit will result in cancellation of their Alien Registration in accordance to Article 37 of Immigration Act. In such cases, the foreigner must obtain a new long-term visa before re-entering Korea.
- The above measure does not apply to A-1 (Diplomatic), A-2 (Official), A-3 (Treaties) and F-4 (Overseas Korean) visa holders.
- Long-term visa holders who departed Korea prior to 01 June 2020, 0000hrs, may re-enter Korea within the validity of their Alien Registration Card (ARC) without the re-entry permit.
The guide for online re-entry permit application information is available in English.
See: https://ecck.or.kr/online-re-entry-permit-application-information/
2. Submission of negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result issued within 72 hours of departure.
The large hospitals nearby your neighborhood which issue English certificate
National Medical Center: https://www.nmc.or.kr/nmc/main/contents.do?menuNo=200288
Incheon Airport COVID-19 Testing Center on reservation basis: https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/covid19/medical/medical.do
※Failure to submit negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result will result in denial of boarding at departure airport
Re-entering Korea
The following URL provides instructions for persons wishing to re-enter Korea.
Entering Australia and Quarantine
Please note that while some details on entering Australia are included below, it is best to check the following websites for up-to-date information as border regulations change:
- https://www.australia.gov.au/travel-and-consumers
- https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/covid-19/covid-19/covid-19-re-entry-and-quarantine-measures
While Australian citizens, do not need a travel exemption to enter Australia, arrivals are still subject to flight caps, PCR testing and quarantine.
Those travelling to Australia, will need to complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight to Australia. Undertaking a Pre-departure COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to the scheduled flight to Australia is also a requirement. Further information can be accessed on this website.
Australia currently has a mandatory 14 days quarantine in place for all international arrivals. Exemptions are entirely a decision for the relevant State government.
State websites with details on applying for a quarantine exemption are listed below:
- New South Wales: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/quarantine-exemptions.aspx
- Victoria: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-overseas-travellers
- Queensland: https://www.qld.gov.au/internationalarrivalstoqld
- South Australia: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/cross-border-travel-application
- Western Australia: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-controlled-border
- Tasmania: https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania
- Northern Territory: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/international-travel
- ACT: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/travel/entering-the-act
Leaving Australia
The following URL provides instructions for persons wishing to depart Australia.
See: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia
Australians and permanent residents
If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption. You can apply online if you meet certain criteria.
The link to the travel exemption application form is here: https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep
