US keeps travel advisory on S. Korea at Level 2

The United States on Tuesday maintained its travel advisory for South Korea unchanged at Level 2, despite new rules that it said will result in a travel ban for about 80 percent of all countries.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for South Korea due to COVID-19, indicating a moderate level of COVID-19 in the country," the State Department said in its latest travel advisory.

"This update will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide," the State Department said earlier.

The Level 2 travel warning advises US citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling to the affected country.

The US advisory on South Korea has been at Level 2 since Nov. 23.

The department said the latest updated reflects "science-based" guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Our Advisories also take into account logistical factors, including in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for US citizens," it had said.

South Korea has so far confirmed some 115,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,802 deaths.

The figures mark one of the lowest rates among advanced countries with a population of 50 million or more.

South Korea currently enforces a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all visitors, including South Korean citizens, from overseas countries. (Yonhap)