South Korea plans to increase quarantine efforts at major airports and harbors to prevent the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus and other contagious foreign animal diseases from entering the country.
The move comes as the number of international flights is set to increase further starting next month when the country plans to add hundreds of new flights to meet the growing demand for travel as COVID-19 restrictions relax, Yonhap News Agency reports.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained that it will beef up the quarantine system at eight airports and six harbors, including those in the western port city of Incheon, Gimpo in Seoul, and the southern resort island of Jeju. The ministry will conduct on-site inspections and training this month to implement quarantine procedures.
The ministry is also focusing its campaign to prevent foreign workers, international students and other immigrants from bringing in banned or unregistered agricultural and livestock products. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in a maximum fine of 10 million won (US$7,821), Yonhap News Agency reports.
The agricultural ministry in South Korea asks people to refrain from visiting farms in foreign nations and bringing in food and other livestock products.
With around 300 cases so far this year, South Korea is showing some signs of ASF letting up in recent weeks.
Although ASF does not affect humans or food safety, it is deadly to pigs. No vaccine or cure for the disease is commercially available.
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