PH bans travelers from SoKor's North Gyeongsang; Pinoy tourists banned from going to Korea
By Argyll Geducos and MB Online
The Philippine government imposed on Wednesday a travel ban on travelers from North Gyeongsang province of South Korea due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) outbreak.
In a press briefing Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced that Filipino tourists are temporarily banned from going to that country and that only permanent residents of South Korea, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and those who are leaving to study will be allowed to fly to the East Asian nation.
"The Inter-Agency has authorized Filipinos to travel to South Korea, provided they are permanent residents thereof, or leaving for study, or are OFWs. They are to execute and sign a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risk involved prior to their travel," he said.
"Yes . For their own safety," he added.
According to Panelo, the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) shall conduct a risk assessment of the situation within 48 hours to analyze whether it is necessary to expand the travel ban.
In the meantime, he said, strict protocols on travelers entering the country from North Gyeongsang province will be observed.
"The safety of Filipinos here and abroad remains our primary concern. Our countrymen's welfare is foremost in the mind of the President and as well as concerned officials," Panelo said. "They will be discussing this matter and make recommendations with respect to the management of the coronavirus."
Panelo assured the public that the Philippine government is in close coordination with South Korea. "The Korean government, remember, is trying also very hard to contain the spread of the virus. So magkakaroon siguro sila ng coordination (So I think they will be coordinating).”
As of Wednesday, South Korea reported 169 new infections, taking the overall tally to 1,146, by far the largest outside China.
READ MORE: South Korea reports 169 new coronavirus cases, total tops 1,100