US Raises South Korea Travel Alert to Level 3 'Warning'

Disease Control and Prevention Center Advises "Avoid Unnecessary Travel"
Adjustment Just Two Days After Raising to Level 2... Attention on Additional Measures by the State Department

Amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the 23rd, the 55th Certified Public Accountant exam was held at the testing site set up at Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where officials are checking examinees for fever using thermal cameras. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 24th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the travel advisory for South Korea to the highest level, Level 3, in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is the first time the CDC has elevated South Korea to the highest travel advisory level. Notably, among countries issued a Level 3 travel advisory by the CDC, only China and South Korea are included, which increases the likelihood of stricter entry restrictions not only for Americans entering South Korea but also for Koreans entering the United States.

On the same day, the CDC raised the travel advisory for South Korea to Level 3, labeled as "Warning," and recommended on its website that U.S. citizens "avoid unnecessary travel" due to "widespread community transmission." The CDC stated, "Respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19 are widely occurring in South Korea," and added, "Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk for severe illness." A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained regarding the CDC's upgrade, "As far as we know, there have been no recent cases," and noted, "During the MERS outbreak, the advisory was at Level 1."

The United States had previously raised the travel advisory for South Korea from Level 1 to Level 2 on the 22nd, when confirmed cases began to increase rapidly. Then, just two days later, it was further raised to the highest level. Meanwhile, travel advisories for Japan, Italy, and Iran remained at Level 2.

During the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, the CDC maintained South Korea's travel advisory at Level 1. The current upgrade to the highest level reflects significant concerns about the speed of domestic transmission. As of the 25th, South Korea reported 60 new confirmed cases.

Attention is focused on whether the U.S. Department of State will raise its travel advisory to match the CDC's level. When the CDC raised its advisory to Level 2, the State Department followed suit. The State Department classifies travel advisories into four levels and currently lists South Korea at Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution." Currently, about 70 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, and Brazil, are also at Level 2. There is a strong possibility that the State Department will raise South Korea to Level 3, "Reconsider Travel."

Furthermore, the possibility of selecting the highest Level 4, "Do Not Travel," cannot be ruled out. Some countries, including China, the epicenter of COVID-19, have already received the highest travel advisory level. If the State Department raises the travel advisory, significant restrictions on entry and exit to the United States are likely. A government official commented on the CDC's recommendation to avoid unnecessary travel due to widespread community transmission, stating, "The CDC's travel advisories are determined entirely based on their own criteria," and added, "We are closely monitoring the impact of the travel advisory upgrade."

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