Fear of MERS affecting South Koreas tourism

Thousands of foreign tourists have canceled their trips to South Korea and overseas students have decided to leave the country over MERS fears, while the South Korean government said the travel cancellations are not necessary.

Deaths from infection with MERS increased to 16 in South Korea as two more deaths were reported on Monday. The MERS infection rose to 150 with five new cases, according to South Korea’s health ministry.

“Our parents are worrying about us, and they told us to return home when the summer vacation starts, and not to go out on the streets often,” said Sun Hao, a Chinese student studying in South Korea.

MOST OUTBREAKS IN HOSPITALS

However, despite reports that a confirmed South Korean MERS patient is receiving treatment in the Chinese mainland, some Chinese tourists still chose to visit that country.

“The travel agency said that most of the infections occurred in hospitals, so the outbreak of MERS could not cause serious impact on our daily life. We only need to wash our hands frequently and wear gauzes, and try to avoid intensive contacts with strangers in crowded places,” said Pan Zixia, a Chinese tourist.

Those measures, however, are not necessary, said Kwon Jun-wook, director general of Public Health Policy under the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, at a press conference.

“The South Korean government has emphasized repeatedly that, in terms of MERS, what we’ve already known is that the virus only spreads within hospitals, and we have not received reports of MERS cases in communities. Therefore, tourists who visit South Korea, either for shopping or sightseeing, will be safe here if they do not go to medical institutions,” said Kwon. (REUTERS)