The Hong Kong government has issued a red travel alert (警报)for South Korea following the spread of MERS virus in the country.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says:"The Security Bureau issues a red travel alert for South Korea to help the travel industry on their coordination(协调) and follow-up (后续)work. I call on again that all residents should avoid non-essential travels to South Korea."
The red alert comes just one day after the government issued a separate health advice with similar wording.Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung says only a formal alert could help tour operators on refunds(退款).
"Because insurance mention very clearly, if it is a red alert, then they will do some payment. But if it is a health advice, nothing can be done. After this case, I am sure we will talk to the government, the concerned department, to see whether we can force similar arrangement to avoid confusions."
Following the alert, all tours to South Korea this month have been canceled in Hong Kong, affecting about 12-thousand tourists in 600 groups. But voyage trips to the country would still go ahead as ship captains have the power to decide whether to cancel the trip or not.
Some airlines in Hong Kong have already agreed to change tickets date.
Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man says they will improve their work to avoid confusion in the future.
A red alert, the second highest of three levels in Hong Kong, is defined as a "significant threat" to Hong Kong residents if they travel to the country.
This is the first health-related security warning it has ever issued. The last "red" travel alert was issued for Nepal in late April, following the shocking earthquake.
Other countries on the "red alert" list includes Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan, while a higher 'black' warning is in place for Syria.
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