This fascinating insight into S Korea’s Covid precautions went viral because it’s so different to the UK and US
As the governments of numerous countries including the UK try to get to grips with tackling the latest coronavirus wave, this thread about how South Korea treats people entering the country went wildly viral.
It was posted on Twitter by @koryodynasty and is a fascinating read. It is also likely to be a hugely frustrating one, given how sharply its utterly rigorous approach contrasts with certain other governments you might be able to think of right now.
1/ I thought I'd write about my experience re-entering South Korea, where I reside, during this global pandemic. It wasn't a 5 minute job like in London Heathrow where I was out in no time. Instead, it took 24 hours. Here's what happened: pic.twitter.com/PjV7Mrz2ju
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
2/ During flight, needed to fill out multiple forms incl. quarantine papers. Upon arrival in Incheon, immediate body temperature scan. As I was coming from the UK, quarantine official already had my name on list of a handful of people from hotspot UK/South Africa. Given lanyard. pic.twitter.com/BwdGdr180F
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
3/ Next, I was told to throw away my KF-94 mask that I was wearing, replace it with their own even tighter twin strap 3M KF-95 mask, and made to wait to get tested for Covid-19 even though I already had a negative certificate. Test was carried out on the freezing windy tarmac. pic.twitter.com/bow3PIQJ1y
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
4/ We were then taken to another waiting area with separate seating. Made to fill out more papers. pic.twitter.com/upYI732HCq
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
5/ Then went through immigration. Made to install quarantine app on phone, which includes entering passport number and valid telephone number. An official then called the phone number entered on the app to check it was real. More on app later. Violators of rules face deportation. pic.twitter.com/KGpZfXD1x2
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
6/ Once through immigration, where they *also* checked my negative PCR test already done 2 days in the UK, we were escorted to collect our luggage. At all times, all officials were in full PPE. pic.twitter.com/jS9M7jR8wm
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
7/ Next, we were escorted to a bus provided by emergency services. pic.twitter.com/jawgIwIJrf
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
8/ Arriving at the Incheon National Quarantine Facility Station, we were escorted to a waiting area, given a separate booth each, told to wait until test results came out at least 6 hours later. pic.twitter.com/Bc64qWVUXf
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
9/ Aside from eating, masks to be worn at all times. Given dinner box a few hours later. Wasn't quite the countdown to 2021 I was expecting but people exclaimed happy new year at midnight. pic.twitter.com/ZJIiOiTzJ6
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
10/ Towards 2 AM (9 hours later approx), people started receiving text messages saying their test results were negative. In fact, an official said that all those in the room were negative, but that some people incl. me had to have swabs re-examined (because from UK?).
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
11/ About five of us were then taken downstairs towards 4 AM, and isolated into individual negative pressure rooms (that basically prevent any potential virus from escaping, constantly sucking the air inside). Not a hotel, but can't complain. pic.twitter.com/3M9N3fiqra
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
12/ PPE dude comes in to check my temperature, and told me to wait another 10 hours until results come out. Finally some sleep after 36 hours. pic.twitter.com/O2CbU9MNbY
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
13/ Breakfast was delivered at towards 7:30 AM on the table between the doors of the chamber. On the menu: egg mayo ham toast and diet banana milk. Actually my favourites! pic.twitter.com/PHA3iiaBPt
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
14/ Then lunch arrived at midday, this dosirak lunchbox, again, delivered between the doors. pic.twitter.com/hKcDGLsiHv
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
15/ Finally got the all clear negative result after lunch, told to wait for the nurse to come collect me. Given gloves, and made our way out back into a bus provided by emergency services. Escorted back to airport. pic.twitter.com/BdfIL3mm4b
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
16/ Police were waiting for us at the airport, took the register of all those who had left quarantine, then brought us back into the airport in order to make arrangements to go back home for self-isolation. Assigned a taxi. pic.twitter.com/SfW5423hR7
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
17/ Not just any taxi, a "quarantine taxi" separating the driver from passenger. Taken to doorstep. Cost 80,000 won, but little other choice (there's a "bus" service which is cheaper, but was not available and is less frequent).
From touchdown to home took well over 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/CVvJkNzgsE
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
18/ Finally at home, was made to call local health centre to explain I had arrived and had already been tested. Those who are less at risk can leave airport and get tested in their local areas. Different people, different circumstances, different requirements.
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
19/ Regarding the quarantine app, need to diagnose oneself and enter results daily. I've heard stories of officials chasing you over the phone if you fail to enter data. Meanwhile, I'm stuck at home for 14 days. Cannot leave under any circumstance. Food/grocery deliveries fine. pic.twitter.com/Lemnz9Jum0
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
20/ A reason for writing this thread is because I was appalled by the level of incompetence in the UK when I flew in a few weeks ago. Coming from "safe zone" S. Korea, I didn't need to self-isolate. Yet the flight back to the UK via Dubai was packed with maskless passengers.
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
21/ At Heathrow Airport, masses of people were all over the place without masks, *including* airport staff. Those who were wearing masks had them under their noses. Baggage collection was messy and a massive virus hazard. Felt vulnerable.
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
22/ 24 hours to get back home in S. Korea, even though a resident, were a little annoying given the lack of sleep etc, but I can't complain. It's necessary process to fight this virus.
Yet I see so many people and governments who are still clueless, namely the UK. pic.twitter.com/jIY6lurWpS
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2021
And just a few of the things people were saying about it.
https://twitter.com/KatyFBrand/status/1346020004425310210?s=20
Extraordinary… and explains why South Korea has done so much better than UK at containing covid. Our airport testing/tracing policy has been an absolute shambles from the start of this crisis. https://t.co/92iyatpD1N
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1345357878727749636?s=20
Read this thread. It’s Really interesting and worrying how incompetent we seem to be. https://t.co/UcbZk3cOvw
— edith bowman (@edibow) January 3, 2021
This is how it is done and we Americans (and Brits) are culturally incapable of it….and paying the price https://t.co/24hGV8AvuM
— Ian Morrison (@seccurve) January 2, 2021
You want to know what the difference in protocol will earn you… life itself.
South Korea:
COVID cases- 62,593
Deaths- 942United States:
COVID cases- 20,617,346
Deaths- 356,445 https://t.co/Rr9qu6ephU— Ebony Jade Hilton, MD (@EbonyJHilton_MD) January 2, 2021
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Source Twitter @koryodynasty
