Isolation rules

"How many days?" depends on the disease and the time. Always confirm with 1339 or your health centre.

What to confirm

1. Whether the disease requires isolation
2. The isolation period and release criteria
3. Documents for your employer or school (isolation notice)
4. Whether living support applies — there are defined criteria.
5. What people living with you must do

The process

1. Follow the guidance of the clinic or health centre that diagnosed you.
2. When you receive an isolation notice, check the period and requirements.
3. Tell your workplace or school. Ask for documents if needed.
4. During isolation, stay in and have necessities delivered.
5. Make contact if symptoms worsen. Breathing difficulty means 119.
6. Once the release criteria are met, return to normal life.

What you need

• Alien registration card
• Diagnosis and isolation notice
• A phone number you can be reached on
• Several days of food and basic medicine

Where to go

• 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
• Your local public health centre
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (workplace issues)
• 1345 interpretation support

Questions people ask

What happens to my pay during isolation? It depends on the scheme and circumstances. Check with 1350 and your health centre, and discuss it with your employer in advance.

My employer won't accept the isolation. Submit the isolation notice, and if problems persist consult 1350.

Do foreign residents qualify for living support? There are set criteria. Check with your health centre or 129.

What if I need hospital care while isolating? Phone first to confirm how. In an emergency, tell 119 that you are isolating and get help.

Take care

Breaking isolation endangers you and those around you, and can have legal consequences. Periods and criteria change often, so check with 1339 or your health centre rather than old internet posts. Keep the isolation notice for your employer.

Related

covid-guidance · cold-flu · sick-note-work · disaster-alert-understanding · free-clinics

Source

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency www.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08