Korean Job Discussion Forums

[freethought]

Someone I know is coming to Korea next week for an arts fair/show. The fair organizers have her billeted with a Korean family for the duration of her stay. But they are asking/demanding that she have her temperature taken and 'reported' every day.

There was no official explanation as to why this arrangement is necessary, but I can draw my own conclusions from the delusional paranoia I see and hear about everyday re: H1N1.

She does not want to stay with the Korean family and be treated like a lab specimen. So I'm trying to find out if the quarantine is still in effect and if there's an actual place to read the rules/guidelines governing the quarantine.

Any and all info is appreciated.

[steveinincheon]

As far as I know there is no legally mandated quarantine for anyone entering Korea. Upon entering the country you will have your temperature taken at the airport and will have to fill out a sheet with your contact info on it. After that you are free and clear to go where you want without restriction. However, many organizations such as school districts, fair organizers etc. may have their own regulations ranging from 7 days of self-quarantine upon entering the country to frequent health checks like the one you mention. If it is the fair organizer's policy to perform these health checks on all international participants there may be little choice but to comply or to not participate. In this case I would ask the organizers whether its possible to arrange accomodation independently and forego the health checks. That said the Swine Flu paranoia has reached really ridiculous levels here, and the organizers of this fair might not take to kindly to letting your friend participate without undergoing medical exams.