US Raises Travel Alert to Highest Level: "Do Not Travel to China"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 30th (local time), as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) an international emergency (International Public Health Emergency), the U.S. Department of State issued the highest level travel advisory advising against travel to all of China, according to reports by AP News and others.

According to the reports, the Department of State emphasized in the travel advisory released that day, "Travelers should prepare for travel restrictions that may be implemented without prior notice." It added, "Flights to and from China are being reduced or suspended. Americans currently in China should consider leaving China using private transportation," and "U.S. government officials on business trips to China should postpone their trips unless the work is essential, considering the coronavirus."

The U.S. issued a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest of the four levels, for all of China that day. Previously, on the 27th, it had issued Level 4 only for Hubei Province and Level 3 for the rest of China, but as the death toll surged and WHO declared an international emergency, the travel advisory for all of China was upgraded to the highest level.

On the 31st, Japan issued a Level 2 travel advisory out of the four levels for China, advising "to avoid travel to China unless it is urgent or unavoidable." Earlier, Japan had issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Hubei Province, where the novel coronavirus outbreak occurred, recommending travel bans.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.