Taiwan Raises South Korea Travel Alert to Level 2... Just One Step Before Travel Advisory

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised the travel alert for South Korea to Level 2 (Yellow), the stage just before advising against travel, in preparation for the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to Taiwanese media on the 24th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upgraded the travel alert for South Korea from Level 1, which requires caution, to Level 2, which calls for special attention to travel safety and reconsideration of travel plans.

Above Level 2, there are Level 3 (Orange), which advises avoiding travel, and Level 4 (Red), which corresponds to travel bans and emergency evacuation.

Currently, Taiwan has issued a Level 3 alert for Iran, Level 2 for South Korea and Thailand, and Level 1 for Singapore, Japan, and Italy.

Separately from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control operates a three-level travel alert system of 'Caution,' 'Warning,' and 'Alert.' The CDC has upgraded the alert for South Korea from 'Caution' to 'Warning,' indicating the need to strengthen local protection measures.

Meanwhile, the number of Taiwanese visiting South Korea reaches one million annually.