KALIBO, Aklan – Eleven South Korean nationals who were previously monitored for possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection left Boracay Island via Kalibo International Airport on Feb. 28 and 29.
Madel Joy Tayco, deputy information manager of Malay inter-agency task force against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), said the Korean tourists – six males and five females – were allowed to go back to Incheon after all of them exhibited no flu-like symptoms.
According to Tayco, the Koreans were classified as persons under monitoring (PUMs) after the Philippine government banned the entry of visitors on Feb. 26 from South Korea’s North Gyeongsang province.
The Koreans were not under mandatory quarantine since they arrived in Boracay Island for vacation last week. But Tayco said that the tourists had been medically cleared and took the direct flight out of Aklan to South Korea.
On Saturday, Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it is cancelling a number of flights between the Philippines and South Korea scheduled next month amid the outbreak of the COVID-19.
The flag carrier said it will retain a number of flights to and from Seoul and Busan to serve travelers not covered by the travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government.
Passengers affected by flight cancellations can rebook, reroute or refund their confirmed tickets on or before March 28. They can choose a new travel date that falls on or before June 30, 2020.
Meanwhile, holders of tickets issued by travel agents may contact or visit their nearest partner travel agency of PAL for their rebooking needs.
South Korea confirmed 594 more coronavirus cases on Saturday, the biggest increase to date for the country, bringing the national total to 2,931 infections with three additional deaths. (With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
