This is a personal account from a close family member of how South Korea deals with those under quarantine for #COVID19.

This is written in their perspective of the process.

#SARS_COV_2

They had been in the US for weeks and returned to Korea after April 1st.

They are and have been asymptomatic.

SK is now screening all travellers from abroad for #COVID19 starting April 1st as the imported cases >> domestic cases.

They were screened before boarding the Korean airline plane for symptoms and had a fever check.

Fever/symptoms are banned from boarding.

Those that lie or take antipyretics beforehand will now face severe penalties (jail, fines etc). https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005733380

Upon arrival at the airport they were masked and went through multiple layers of thermal cameras.

If positive, you are isolated, checked for symptoms and can be tested for #COVID19 immediately.

Before leaving the airport they were immediately:

Assigned a government official (GO) as a point of contact

Required to download a tracking app and enter the GO number

Allow GPS tracking through the app during quarantine (14 days)

They immediately received a call from their GO at the airport.

GO confirms:

Where you will be staying for 14 days.

That you will go directly there and not leave that location.

That you will be transported there safely without exposing others.

There are quarantine facilities for those who either are living with someone vulnerable or don't have a place to stay.

Multiple YouTube vids are out there for those that are curious.

There are several modes of transportation for those without personal cars.

Specific buses that will drop you off where you need.

KTX with specific trains designated only for travelers from abroad.

They went home with a personal car

This whole process: <1 hr

Their local government recommended that they be tested for #SARS_COV_2.

When they said "I'm asymptomatic though," the GO told them "why not, it's free for you anyways"

It is up to the local govt to decide whether travelers from certain countries need a test immediately.

They were given an appointment to an outdoor testing site. Upon arrival they were directed to wait in the car until their turn.

Both NP and OP swabs were taken in under 5 mins.

Negative results were texted to them in <24hrs.

As soon as they arrived home they received a call from their GO to drop off packages with 14 masks, hand sanitizer, thermometer, cleaning supplies, trash bags to avoid contaminating other areas... and food.

The amount of food is what really gets me, as does the ChocoPie 정

Every local govt does their own thing and puts in their own flair with the care packages by partnering with various stores/companies.

Here are some examples from other people.

One with a whole bag of rice. Fresh produce. Shampoo. TP .

The symptom self-check app requires twice daily symptom checks. Temp must be taken twice daily and entered in.

If you miss symptom checks you get an angry red alert

If you miss more than a few in a row, your GO will track you down

If + will be directed to repeat test

With GPS tracking you are absolutely not allowed to leave your house for 14 days.

The GO can drop in randomly at any time to ensure you are actually home as well, and they remind you periodically via text.

Non-compliance can lead to a fine/jail.

Overall they still feel asymptomatic and satisfied, albeit jet-lagged.

What strikes me the most is the level of thoughtfulness and coordination throughout the whole process, with an appropriate mix of technology use.

The GPS tracking only lasts while the app is installed.

Tl;dr

If you want people to stay in quarantine, you give them what they need for quarantine.