US Raises South Korea Travel Advisory to Level 3 Warning (Comprehensive)

CDC Advises Against Unnecessary Travel
Additional Upgrade in Just 2 Days
State Department's Further Measures Also Noted

On the morning of the 25th, a quarantine company official from the Jagalchi Fishery Cooperative is conducting preventive disinfection at Jagalchi Market in Jung-gu, Busan. The Busan Jagalchi Fishery Cooperative has decided to close Jagalchi Market until the 3rd of next month to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 24th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the travel advisory for South Korea to the highest level, Level 3, in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is the first time the CDC has elevated South Korea to the highest travel advisory level. Notably, apart from South Korea, China is the only country for which the CDC has issued a Level 3 travel advisory, increasing the likelihood of stricter entry requirements not only for Americans entering South Korea but also for Koreans entering the United States.

On the same day, the CDC raised the travel advisory for South Korea to Level 3, labeled as "Warning," and recommended on its website that U.S. citizens "avoid unnecessary travel" due to "widespread community transmission." The CDC stated, "Respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19 are widely occurring within South Korea," and added, "Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk for severe illness." A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained regarding the CDC's upgrade, "As far as we know, there have been no recent cases," and noted, "During the MERS outbreak, the advisory was at Level 1."

The United States had previously raised the travel advisory for South Korea from Level 1 to Level 2 on the 22nd, when confirmed cases in South Korea began to increase rapidly. Just two days later, it was further raised to the highest level. Meanwhile, travel advisories for Japan, Italy, and Iran remain at Level 2.

During the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, the CDC maintained South Korea's travel advisory at Level 1. The current elevation to the highest level reflects significant concerns about the speed of domestic transmission. As of the 25th, South Korea reported 60 new confirmed cases.

Attention is focused on the possibility that the U.S. Department of State will raise its travel advisory to match the CDC's level. When the CDC raised its advisory to Level 2, the State Department also raised its advisory to Level 2. The State Department classifies travel advisories into four levels and currently lists South Korea at Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution." Currently, over 70 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, and Brazil, are at Level 2 travel advisories. There is a strong possibility that the State Department will raise the advisory to Level 3, "Reconsider Travel." Additionally, the possibility of selecting the highest Level 4, "Do Not Travel," cannot be ruled out. Some countries, including China, the epicenter of COVID-19, have already received the highest travel advisory level. If the State Department raises the travel advisory, significant restrictions on entry and exit to the United States are likely.

A government official commented on the CDC's recommendation to avoid unnecessary travel due to widespread community transmission, stating, "The CDC's travel advisories are determined entirely based on their own criteria," and added, "We are closely monitoring the impact of the advisory upgrade."