By / Fresh Reports from TravelScape
Surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea ! Community transmission of the novel coronavirus has been reported — travelers and businesspeople heading to South Korea are urged to enhance personal preventive measures !
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In response to the “novel coronavirus pneumonia” outbreak in South Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in line with the “International Travel Health Advisory” issued by the Central Epidemic Command Center, has raised South Korea’s travel advisory level to Level 1 “Watch: Remind the public to follow general local preventive measures.” It is advised that those planning to travel to South Korea stay well-informed about the outbreak and make appropriate preparations before departure.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported on February 20, 2020, 53 new confirmed cases, with over 30 occurring in Daegu Metropolitan City and North Gyeongsang Province; several other cases were reported in the Seoul area. Emergency rooms at Pusan Haewondae Baek Hospital, Pusanjin Baek Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu Yeungnam Hospital, Daegu Catholic University Hospital, and Seoul Hanyang University Hospital have all been temporarily closed due to the pneumonia outbreak.
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The “21st Century Hospital” in Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea, where the 16th and 18th confirmed patients were treated, announced a temporary closure on February 4.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare on February 20, the novel coronavirus, which originated overseas, has now entered the early stage of community transmission. Given that cases meeting the domestic definition of community infection have already emerged in South Korea, travelers and businesspeople heading there are advised to remain vigilant and strengthen their personal preventive efforts.The number of confirmed “novel coronavirus pneumonia” cases in South Korea has reached 104 !
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Since the first confirmed case of “novel coronavirus pneumonia” in South Korea on January 20, 2020, up to February 20, a total of 104 cases have been recorded. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, has elevated “novel coronavirus pneumonia” to a Class 1 infectious disease. The epidemic alert level has also been raised from Level 3 (Caution) to Level 2 (Warning). Additionally, the “Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for Novel Coronavirus Infection” has been established to closely monitor the outbreak and strengthen preventive measures.
South Korea – On February 2, it was announced that starting from midnight on February 4, foreign nationals who had traveled to Hubei Province, China within the past 14 days would be denied entry. Jeju Island’s special visa-free entry policy for foreign nationals has also been temporarily suspended.
Holders of valid ordinary passports of the Republic of China (Taiwan) may enter South Korea visa-free for tourism (including Jeju Island, for stays of up to 90 days each visit). This visa exemption remains unaffected by South Korea’s aforementioned new epidemic prevention measures for now. However, please note that those who have traveled to Hubei Province, China within the last 14 days may be denied entry based on the latest South Korean health regulations.
To further prevent the spread of the outbreak, the South Korean Ministry of Justice announced that starting February 4, foreigners will no longer be allowed to use the automated immigration clearance system (Smart Entry Service) upon entry. Foreign nationals must undergo manual document checks by immigration officers before being allowed entry. However, the Smart Entry Service can still be used when departing the country, and registration for the service remains available as usual.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds travelers to South Korea to monitor their own health, wash hands frequently, and wear masks when necessary to prevent infection. Should symptoms such as fever or respiratory infections occur during your stay in South Korea, please contact the Korean Ministry of Justice’s Foreigner Assistance Center hotline (dial 1345 within Korea; the line offers a Chinese voice menu and is available 24/7) or the KCDC hotline (dial 1339 within Korea).
Taiwanese travelers wishing to access the latest prevention advice and recommendations from South Korea may visit the official website of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.go.kr
If you encounter an emergency or need assistance while in South Korea, please call the emergency contact number of the Taiwanese Embassy in South Korea: +82-10-9080-2761 or the Busan Office: +82-10-4537-7961 (within Korea, dial 010-9080-2761 or 010-4537-7961); alternatively, ask relatives or friends in Taiwan to call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24-hour Emergency Call Center for Overseas Nationals at 0800-085-095 to receive necessary help.
South Korea Now Has a COVID-19 Super-Spreader ! A Woman from Daegu Infected Multiple People
》https://www.mook.com.tw/article_m.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=23282