Flights from North Gyeongsang and to South Korea may still push through

February 27, 2020

Flights coming from North Gyeongsang province and those headed to South Korea may still push through.

The Department of Health (DOH) Thursday clarified that the partial travel ban imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on South Korea is not yet in effect despite its announcement last Wednesday.

In a phone interview, DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the order of the IATF-EID provides a 48-hour allowance for airports to implement. 

"The IATF-EID gave 48 hours allowance to implementing agencies so they can properly implement this. So let us wait for that. Once they receive the resolution, within 48 hours, they should already be able to implement the temporary restriction," said Vergeire. 

She said they are still awaiting for the completion of the signatures of the IATF-EID "within the day". 

"Once the IATF Resolution has been signed, we count 48 hours. That’s the time it becomes effective. As of now, we are still waiting for one more signature. Within the day, we can already come out with the Resolution," said Vergeire. 

On Wednesday, the DOH announced the decision of the IATF-EID to impose a temporary travel ban on South Korea due to the threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Based on the IATF-EID resolution, there shall be travel restrictions for passengers from North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. DMS