Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues 'Travel Caution' Alert to 36 European Countries Amid COVID-19 Spread
Travel Alert Level 2 Issued for 36 Countries in Western and Central Europe
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is responding to reporters' questions while on her way to meet the rapid response team formed to support Korean nationals quarantined in Vietnam due to COVID-19 prevention measures at Terminal 1 departure hall of Incheon International Airport on the 5th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
View original image[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 16th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Level 2 travel alert (Yellow Alert · Travel Caution) for 36 countries in Western and Central Europe. This measure was taken in response to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within Europe.
The travel alert applies to European Union (EU) member countries, Schengen Agreement signatory countries, and countries frequently visited by Korean nationals. Specifically, these countries include Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Croatia, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, Monaco, Vatican, San Marino, Andorra, and the United Kingdom.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "This travel alert was issued considering the sharp increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases within Europe, where regional movement is relatively free, raising concerns about the exposure of our nationals to infection risks."
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The regions previously under Level 1 travel alert (Blue Alert · Travel Precaution) have been upgraded to Level 2, while regions already under Level 2 remain unchanged. The Ministry's travel alerts are composed of four levels: ▲Blue Alert (Travel Precaution) ▲Yellow Alert (Travel Caution) ▲Red Alert (Evacuation Recommended) ▲Black Alert (Travel Prohibited). When a Yellow Alert is issued, residents in the affected area are advised to exercise special caution for personal safety, and those planning to travel are instructed to carefully reconsider the necessity of their trip.
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