"Until COVID-19 Stabilizes" Russia Also Advises 'Avoid Visiting Korea'

On the 26th, as the possibility of community spread of COVID-19 increases, commuters near Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul are wearing masks on their way to work. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Russia has also advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to South Korea and other countries where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are rapidly increasing.

Russia's health, hygiene, and quarantine authority, the "Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing," announced on the 26th (local time) via its website that it recommends avoiding travel to South Korea, Iran, and Italy, where COVID-19 cases are surging.

The authority stated, "According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections in South Korea, Italy, and Iran. We do not recommend visiting these countries until the COVID-19 transmission situation stabilizes."

Earlier, on the 24th of last month, travel to China, the origin of COVID-19, was also advised against. When travel advisories are issued, travelers who have purchased tour packages to the affected countries can cancel their reservations without penalties.

Before Russia, countries such as the United States, Taiwan, and France also raised their travel alerts for South Korea and advised their citizens to refrain from traveling there.

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