8 out of 11 Koreans under monitoring in Boracay to return to South Korea amid COVID-19 threat

Eight out of the 11 Korean nationals who had been under monitoring in Boracay amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat will be leaving the country on Friday morning.

According to a report by Annie Lee Bautista on Dobol B sa News TV, the eight foreign nationals are already at the Kalibo International Airport for their 10:45 a.m. flight to South Korea.

The departure of the three others will be on Saturday.

The eleven Korean tourists arrived in the Philippines on February 25, a day before travel restrictions were imposed by the Philippine government on parts of South Korea—including North Gyeongsang province where Daegu City is situated.

The foreign nationals have traveled to the said city which is considered the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea.

Meanwhile, the outbound travel of tourists from the Philippines to South Korea has also been suspended amid the threat, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

“Only permanent residents of South Korea, Filipinos leaving for study and OFWs returning for work will be allowed provided they signed a written declaration acknowledging the risks involved which will be complemented with health advisory pamphlets,” he said.

There are already more than 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Korea, as of Friday. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News