[Coronavirus] U.S. envoy checks virus screening procedure at S. Korea's gateway

By Park Sae-jin Posted : March 11, 2020, 13:52 Updated : March 11, 2020, 13:58

An Incheon International Airport official checks the body temperature of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris on March 11. [Yonhap Photo]

SEOUL -- Many countries have imposed restrictions on travelers from South Korea, looking awry at its ability to sort out patients infected with a new coronavirus, but U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris set his heart at ease in an on-site examination of how health officials carry out their duty at the country's main gateway in the western port city of Incheon.

Harris said in a Twitter post on Wednesday that he was impressed by anti-epidemic measures taken at Incheon National Airport after he put himself through a three-step screening procedure measuring his body temperature at the airport's second terminal just like any other travelers.

"Terrific visit to Incheon Airport to see 1st-hand ROKG measures to combat COVID-19 & mgmt of travelers to USA. Impressed w/ROK’s robust & comprehensive response efforts to limit the virus’ spread. Thanks to all for the hard work," Harris wrote. He praised South Korea's method of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in a meticulous step-by-step procedure as a global example.

The body temperature of every traveler should be checked three times at terminal gates, departure gates and boarding gates with thermometers and thermal imaging cameras. If anyone is detected to have a body temperature that is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, he or she will be moved to a quarantine inspection room to receive a basic epidemiological inspection.
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