PAL cancels Korea flights amid travel restrictions

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the cancellation of its flights to and from South Korea in light of travel restrictions due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

PAL said the following flights are canceled:

March 2 to 30

• PR 418: Manila - Busan
• PR 419: Busan - Manila
• March 1 to 31
• PR 468: Manila - Seoul
• PR 469: Seoul - Manila

March 8 to 29

• PR 418: Manila - Busan
• PR 419: Busan - Manila

March 12 to 31

• PR 466: Manila - Seoul
• PR 467: Seoul - Manila

Affected passengers have the option to request for rebooking/rerouting or refunding of confirmed tickets on or before Mar. 28, 2020.

"You may choose a new travel date that falls on or before June 30, 2020," PAL said.

Meanwhile, the airline said it will retain a number of flights to and from Seoul and Busan to serve travelers not covered by the travel ban.

The following flights will be operating:

March 1 to 11

• PR 466/467: Manila - Seoul - Manila

March 12 to 31

• PR 466/467:  Manila - Seoul - Manila

March 1

• PR 418/419: Manila - Busan - Manila

March 3

• PR 418/419: Manila - Busan - Manila

March 7

• PR 418/419: Manila - Busan - Manila

March 8 to 28

• PR 418/419: Manila - Busan - Manila

March 29 to 31

• PR 418/419: Manila - Busan - Manila

On Friday, the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious disease imposed a temporary suspension of travel to South Korea except for newly-hired and returning overseas Filipino workers, as long as they execute a declaration that they understand "the risks involved."

Those leaving abroad for study and permanent residents of South Korea shall also be allowed to travel to the East Asian country.

On the other hand, any person — except Filipinos and their foreign spouse and children, permanent resident visa holders, and diplomat visa holders — coming from the North Gyeongsang province, including Daegu and Cheongdo, are temporarily banned from entering the Philippines.

The temporary travel ban also applies to persons -- except those falling under the same exceptions -- who have been to North Gyeongsang, Daegu and Cheongdo within 14 days immediately before they arrived in the Philippines. — MDM, GMA News