Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea, "Closely Cooperating with Korean Government on COVID-19 Situation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, stated that he is closely monitoring the situation related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Korea and is cooperating closely with the Korean government.

On the 27th, Ambassador Harris tweeted that he is in Washington D.C. to attend the U.S. State Department's annual ambassador meeting, saying, "I am closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and am concerned about everyone's safety."

He also mentioned the U.S. State Department's upgrade of the travel advisory to Level 3. Ambassador Harris explained, "The U.S. State Department just raised the travel advisory to Level 3," adding, "We are working closely with the Korean government regarding COVID-19."

On the 26th (local time), the U.S. State Department raised the travel advisory for South Korea to Level 3. This came just four days after it was raised to Level 2 on the 22nd. This is the first time the State Department has adjusted the travel advisory for Korea to Level 3.

The State Department's action does not reach the highest level of travel ban but is the second highest level, indicating a recommendation to reconsider travel. It advises refraining from unnecessary travel. With the upgrade of the travel advisory for Korea, it is now at the same level as countries such as Pakistan, Congo, and Nigeria. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already raised the travel advisory for Korea to the highest level, Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel), on the 25th.