South Korea drops proof of vaccine, test to aid virus response

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South Korea will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination or negative tests to enter any indoor space starting Tuesday, AP reports, as the country removes a key preventive measure during a fast-developing Omicron surge that's elevating hospitalisations and deaths.

The Health Ministry’s announcement today came as the country set another one-day record in Covid-19 deaths with 114, breaking the previous high of 112 set on Saturday.

More than 710 Covid-19 patients were in critical or serious conditions, up from 200-300 in mid-February, while nearly half of the country’s intensive care units designated for Covid-19 were occupied.

In this file photo, commuters cross a zebra crossing, amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Seoul, South Korea on Feb 3, 2021. — Reuters
In this file photo, commuters cross a zebra crossing, amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Seoul, South Korea on Feb 3, 2021. — Reuters

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