Chinese man who fled after testing positive for Covid-19 found in Seoul
Seoul, Jan 5 (EFE).- Authorities on Thursday found the Chinese national who had escaped from a quarantine facility after testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in South Korea, police said.
The 41-year-old man was found in a hotel in the South Korean capital.
After landing on Tuesday at the Incheon International Airport, which serves Seoul, the man tested positive in a PCR test and was taken to a hotel in this city located west of the capital where he was required to be quarantined for seven days.
The man took advantage of an error by quarantine officials to flee the hotel, CCTV footage showed.
In December, China announced an end to the strict Covid-19 quarantines it had imposed for nearly three years, opening the door for people in the country to travel.
Following the announcement, South Korea on Dec. 30 said that it would impose restrictions on visitors from the neighboring country starting Monday, given the rise in cases there and to prevent the spread of new variants.
These include a negative Covid-19 result prior to departure and a PCR test upon arrival.
Upon testing positive, visitors are required to quarantine for seven days.
After the man disappeared, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said that he had been put on the wanted list for violating the country’s Disease Control and Prevention Act.
He faces a fine of up to 10 million won (about $7,850) or up to a year in prison.
Many countries and regions have imposed restrictions on travelers from China in recent days due to an explosion of cases after the end of its strict “zero-Covid” policy.
The tough entry restrictions that have been in force in the Asian country since 2020 are also set to be lifted on Jan. 8. EFE
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