[Exclusive] Global Special Travel Advisory for Overseas Travel Restraint and Postponement Extended Until June (Comprehensive)

Extended until the 19th of next month... Overseas COVID-19 still considered severe
Measures equivalent to Level 2 travel caution to Level 3 evacuation recommendation... Maximum duration limited to 90 days
Government plans to prepare additional measures after June following legal review

On the 18th, the arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport is deserted due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has extended the "Special Travel Advisory" for all countries and regions worldwide until June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The special travel advisory, which recommends canceling or postponing travel, can be issued for up to 90 days according to regulations, making this the final extension. The government plans to establish alternatives through legal review if the COVID-19 situation does not improve by June.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 21st, the government extended the "Special Travel Advisory," which has been in effect since March 23, by about one more month until June 19. This is the second extension following one in April, interpreted as a judgment that the global COVID-19 pandemic and entry restrictions by various governments have not eased. The special travel advisory was originally scheduled to be automatically lifted on the 23rd but has been postponed to the 20th of next month.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "This additional extension of the special travel advisory is due to the ongoing global spread of COVID-19, the implementation of travel restrictions such as entry bans targeting many countries worldwide, the increase in imported cases, and the suspension of flights. It reflects the continued need to prevent overseas infections among our citizens and to avoid isolation and quarantine during overseas travel."

The special travel advisory, which can be issued for up to 90 days, is a short-term emergency measure issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a strong measure equivalent to Level 3 (recommendation to evacuate) of the general travel alert system, temporarily suspending the effect of existing travel alerts. This is the first time a special travel advisory has been issued for 90 days targeting all countries and regions worldwide.

The government plans to take separate measures if the global COVID-19 situation does not improve by June, the maximum issuance period of the special travel advisory. Since it can be issued for up to 90 days, the government intends to prepare alternatives through separate legal reviews. A government official said, "Since the special travel advisory can only be issued for 90 days, we plan to conduct a legal review and follow-up measures separately." The general travel alert system operated by the government consists of four levels: Level 1 Blue Alert (travel caution), Level 2 Yellow Alert (travel restraint), Level 3 Red Alert (recommendation to evacuate), and Level 4 Black Alert (travel prohibition).

On the 18th, overseas arrivals at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport received transportation-related guidance from Jeollabuk-do officials. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The background for the government's one-month extension of the special travel advisory is believed to be the judgment that the COVID-19 situation in major countries and regions remains severe. As cluster infections and "Nth infections" continue worldwide, as of the afternoon of the 20th (according to the international statistics site Worldometer), the cumulative global COVID-19 confirmed cases exceeded 5 million, and deaths surpassed 325,000. The United States recorded the highest number of confirmed cases at 1.57 million, followed by Russia and Spain with 300,000 and 270,000 cases respectively. Deaths surged in the U.S. with 93,553, the U.K. with 35,341, and Italy with 32,169. France and Spain also exceeded 20,000 deaths.

The number of countries banning entry from Korea still stands at 149. Twelve countries have implemented quarantine measures, and 25 countries have strengthened inspections or taken advisory measures, totaling 185 countries. Additionally, 56 countries have temporarily suspended visa waiver agreements.

Accordingly, the government has advised those planning overseas travel during the special travel advisory period to cancel or postpone their trips. Furthermore, it urged citizens staying abroad to strictly observe hygiene rules, refrain from participating in mass gatherings or going out, and practice social distancing by minimizing contact with others to avoid exposure to COVID-19 infection risks.

On the 18th, amid widespread layoffs in the aviation industry hit hard by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), citizens visiting the observation deck at Incheon International Airport are looking at aircraft grounded at the airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

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