South Korea on Friday extended its “special travel advisory” by another month, urging citizens to refrain from travelling abroad in holiday-packed October as coronavirus continues to spread across the world.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that it has “re-issued special travel advisory on overseas trips to all countries and regions” to citizens for another month from Sept. 19.

Korea issued its first special advisory on March 23 for three months and has been extending the period by one month. The latest advisory will last until Oct. 18 but chances are high that it will be extended depending on COVID-19 situation.

The government issues special travel advisory when it deems there is short-term urgent danger. It stands between level 2 – or yellow alert (highly cautious) and level 3 – or red alert (recommended withdrawal).

The ministry said that the extension was made as World Health Organization has maintained its stance referring COVID-19 as a pandemic, global spread of the virus, closing down of barriers by a majority of countries, to prevent citizens’ infection cases while traveling abroad, and considering domestic quarantine conditions.

Under the advisory, citizens are recommended to cancel or postpone traveling abroad. Koreans living abroad should also abide by hygiene rules so they are not exposed to infection harm, refrain from going outside, and minimize contact with others.

By Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]