Mandatory PCR tests for international arrivals within the first 24 hours of entry will be scrapped starting Saturday.

Second vice health and welfare minister Lee Ki-il announced the move on Friday in his opening remarks at the government’s COVID-19 response meeting.

The vice minister said health authorities will lift mandates for all inbound travelers to complete a PCR test within 24 hours from Saturday in light of a steep decline in infections among arrivals, down to just zero-point-nine percent this month from one-point-three percent in August.

Lee added that PCR tests will be available free of charge at community health centers for people who develop symptoms within three days of entry.