Effective immediately, based on recent Republic of Korea policy changes regarding international arrivals, all fully vaccinated international arrivals and children under 6 years old are no longer required to quarantine. Note: This is a change from the previous seven-day mandatory quarantine for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. 

A fully vaccinated individual is defined as follows:

• Completed a single-dose or two-dose primary COVID-19 vaccine series within last 14-180 days 

- or -

• Completed primary COVID-19 vaccine series and received a booster dose.

All travelers will be subject to a COVID-19 Day 1 (PCR) test and a Day 6/7 (antigen) test. For SOFA-affiliated individuals, Day 1 testing will be completed at a U.S. military treatment facility, no exceptions. Movement is not restricted while awaiting Day 1 PCR results for fully vaccinated, SOFA-affiliated travelers.

Day 6/7 testing must be conducted at either a ROK government public health facility with commander/supervisor approval or at a U.S. military treatment facility. Please note that if travelers receive testing from a ROK government public health facility, travelers will NOT be reimbursed for the cost of the test or any associated expense.

All non-travelers, regardless of vaccination status, who are cohabitating with the arriving individual(s), are not under restriction of movement but will need to self-monitor for COVID-related symptoms for seven days. If symptoms develop, non-travelers will need to report for testing. 

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are required to complete a mandatory seven-day quarantine. Quarantine is considered 100% restricted movement for seven consecutive days. 
 

USFK’s affiliated community and SOFA individuals who have previously established a residence in South Korea but are not considered fully vaccinated are authorized to quarantine in their residence - including on-installation housing, quarters, barracks and dorms - with an approved quarantine action plan. A quarantine action plan must be signed by a squadron or battalion commander, or civilian equivalent in their chain of command. To download a quarantine action plan template, visit the following link: Quarantine Action Plan Template [↓].

All other non-SOFA affiliated arrivals and short-term visitors who do not reside in South Korea must complete their mandatory seven-day quarantine in a ROK-designated quarantine location. These individuals are not permitted to quarantine at a SOFA member’s house or any other location other than one designated by ROK authorities unless granted exception to policy. Additionally, any costs resulting from quarantine and quarantine related services under the ROK system shall be incurred at the expense of the non-SOFA affiliated traveler or short-term visitor and shall not be reimbursed using U.S. Government funds.

Transportation for arriving individuals from the airport is at component command's discretion, including personal or government vehicles, government contracted buses or public transportation in accordance with ROK guidelines.

Note that this does not apply to intra-Korean travel including Jeju Island.

The USFK-affiliated community is reminded they must continue to follow all local laws, rules and directives - including ROK social distancing levels and mask wear when off USFK installations - and adhere to USFK core tenets both on and off-installation.

USFK remains at a high level of readiness, and continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture to protect the Republic of Korea against any threat or adversary while implementing and maintaining prudent preventive control measures to protect the force.

For additional details on how these changes apply to you, contact your chain of command, supervisor or sponsor. 

For more information about ROK COVID and quarantine measures for non-ROK citizens, please visit the U.S. Embassy's COVID Information page at: https://kr.usembassy.gov/022420-covid-19-information/