Gyeonggi Province to Handle COVID-19 Vaccination for Essential-Purpose Overseas Travelers Starting July 7

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Starting July 7 through the end of August, Gyeonggi Province will directly receive applications for COVID-19 vaccine vaccinations from exporters and other essential-purpose overseas travelers.

Previously, applicants had to wait approximately two months from application to vaccination while going through multiple government agencies including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency; this streamlined process will reduce the timeframe by roughly half.

According to Gyeonggi Province on July 7, the COVID-19 vaccination application reception, review, and approval operations for essential-purpose overseas travelers have been transferred from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and relevant government departments to Gyeonggi Province starting July 7.

The transfer of duties will apply temporarily until the end of August, before nationwide vaccination begins.

Previously, exporters and others seeking to travel abroad had to apply for vaccine vaccination at the Business Travelers' Comprehensive Support Center, undergo review by relevant government departments, and proceed through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's approval process.

Because of the multiple agencies involved, applications were required two months in advance to ensure timely departure.

With the transfer of duties to Gyeonggi Province, the provincial Foreign Trade and Commerce Division directly receives and reviews applications, the provincial Disease Policy Division approves and confirms COVID-19 vaccination, and city/county vaccination centers administer vaccines, establishing a swift "one-stop system."

The province estimates the timeframe from application to vaccination will take approximately one month. The vaccine to be administered is Pfizer, with the second dose required 21 days after the first dose.

Exporters and other essential-purpose overseas travelers seeking to apply should check the Gyeonggi Province website (▲News ▲Gyeonggi Province News ▲COVID-19 ▲Vaccination ▲Essential-Purpose Traveler Vaccination Application Procedure Guide), download the application form, and submit the application and supporting documents to the provincial Foreign Trade and Commerce Division staff via email (gtrade@gg.go.kr).

Applications can only be submitted for travel within September 30.

Those who have completed the first dose, duplicate registrants, or those whose departure dates exceed the third quarter cannot apply.