The South Korean foreign ministry announced plans to expand a travel ban in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to three provinces due to the Ebola virus outbreak. Effective immediately, a Level 4 travel alert will be issued for Ituri Province, reflecting the escalating death toll linked to the virus. This move increases the no-travel zones to include Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
Moreover, the ministry has advised a Level 3 alert, urging departure from areas within 50 kilometers of the Central African Republic border and seven other provinces in the Congo. South Korean nationals entering these regions without proper authorization may face legal consequences under passport laws. A special travel advisory remains in effect for the rest of the African nation.
In response to the situation, South Korea has also issued a special travel advisory for all of Uganda, following the designation of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan as priority quarantine management countries for Ebola. The ministry stated its commitment to monitoring the outbreak closely and considering further travel warning adjustments if needed.
The Ebola infections in eastern Congo have surged, with over 160 suspected deaths reported by foreign media. The ministry emphasized the importance of ongoing vigilance and assessment to address the evolving situation.
