Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reviews Raising Italy Travel Alert Due to Surge in COVID-19 Cases

As of 6 PM on the 8th, Italy's cumulative confirmed cases reach 7,375
Situation monitoring continues... This week, Iranian overseas nationals to be repatriated to Korea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering raising the travel alert level for Italy. As of 6 p.m. local time on the 8th, the cumulative confirmed cases in Italy increased to 7,375, and the cumulative death toll reached 366. The Korean Embassy in Italy also guided restricted movement areas and urged, "Since the infection has spread throughout Italy and the number of confirmed cases is rapidly increasing, please familiarize yourself with preventive measures and response plans to ensure thorough precautions."

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on the 9th, "We understand that about 2,000 of our nationals are in the lockdown or restricted movement areas in Italy," adding, "We are continuously monitoring the situation and are considering raising the travel alert level." The Ministry had issued a Level 2 (Yellow Alert, travel caution) travel advisory on February 28 for three northern Italian regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna.

The evacuation of overseas nationals from Iran, which has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths in the Middle East, is expected to take place within this week. With over 200 overseas nationals in the area, about 100 are expected to be repatriated to Korea.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing that "Considering Iran's internal special circumstances, limited availability of medical resources, and high mortality rate, it is difficult to guarantee a certain level of treatment opportunities," adding, "We are currently reviewing the deployment of temporary flights and are also exploring consular assistance measures."

Regarding Saudi Arabia, which has strengthened entry restrictions, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is scheduled to have a direct phone call with Saudi officials this afternoon. Saudi Arabia initially included Korea in its entry ban but allowed entry for holders of work, business, commercial, and family visit visas excluding tourist visas after government persuasion; however, it has now decided to completely block entry again.

The number of Koreans quarantined in China, Vietnam, and other countries was counted at 1,634 as of 7 a.m. today. The number of those released from quarantine was confirmed at 2,808. Compared to the previous day, the number of quarantined individuals increased by 74, and those released increased by 168. Additionally, on the first day of mutual entry restrictions between Korea and Japan, three Koreans who departed from Korea were confirmed to have entered Japan after undergoing quarantine procedures. Koreans entering Japan today will self-quarantine at hotels or residences for 14 days.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The quarantine situation in the China region is gradually improving," adding, "There are cases where facility quarantine is being eased to self-quarantine, and small achievements continue, such as China bearing the quarantine costs."

Meanwhile, the US cruise ship 'Grand Princess,' where a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) occurred, is scheduled to be transferred to four federal military facilities on the 10th Korea time. Four Koreans are aboard the cruise ship, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to continue providing consular assistance.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We have identified the identities of the four Koreans aboard the cruise ship and are maintaining continuous contact through the consulate," adding, "All will undergo COVID-19 testing and will be quarantined for 14 days."

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