Photo by tragrpx (https://www.needpix.com/photo/189305/namdaemun-market-myeongdong-seoul-korea-south-korean-city-tower)
Today, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo announced that there will be a temporary travel ban for Filipino travelers going to South Korea, including Jeju Island.
According to the spokesman, it is “effective immediately.”
There are some exemptions, though. Workers, students, and permanent residents of South Korea who sign a written declaration signifying their knowledge of the “risks” of traveling there are allowed to go.
Panelo said, “The safety and security of Filipinos here and the outside the Philippines remain our primary concern. Our countrymen’s welfare is foremost in our minds as concerned officials discuss updates and recommendations on the management of the coronavirus.”
Meanwhile, travelers coming from the North Gyeongsang province are barred from entering the Philippines. Those coming from outside the province are allowed to enter.
He added that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases shall conduct a risk assessment within 48 hours to check if it needs to be expanded.
This is the latest ban imposed by the palace, following the ban on mainland China along with special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) announced today that it has reported 169 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 1,146.
Out of the 169 new cases, 134 are from Daegu City, where an outpost of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which has been linked to outbreaks, is from.
There have been 11 deaths in total.
Earlier this week, the country’s president Moon Jae-in said the country faced “a grave turning point” and raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level.
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