Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Travel for urgent business needs is still possible with an Isolation Exemption Certificate and an invitation from a South Korean company.
The Bank of Korea announced on Oct. 27 that South Korea's economy had bounced back to modest growth in the third quarter of 2020. During this period, the country's GDP posted a 1.9% increase from the prior quarter. Thanks to robust growth in outbound shipments, the nation's economy entered a recovery path for normalization. The government will take more stimulus measures to boost domestic consumption in the fourth quarter.
As the South Korean government believes that the current COVID-19 outbreak look to be lengthy, it is enforcing a new five-tier social distancing scheme to better combat the virus. For Wisconsin companies planning to visit South Korea, this information might be helpful. Currently, all travelers to must enter a two-week quarantine upon arrival in South Korea, but short-term business travelers can receive an Isolation Exemption Certificate to skirt this requirement if they test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. To obtain the certificate, a South Korean company must invite the Wisconsin travelers and indicate urgent business reasons when applying for the certificate at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Isolation Exemption Certificate must also receive approval by the South Korean Embassy in the U.S. More detailed information is available at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Republic of Korea: https://kr.usembassy.gov/022420-covid-19-information/https://kr.usembassy.gov/022420-covid-19-information/