North Korea restricting tourism because of Ebola fears

[webfact]

North Korea restricting tourism because of Ebola fears, tour groups say
By David McKenzie and Madison Park, CNN

Beijing, China (CNN) -- North Korea is closing its borders to international tourists due to concerns about Ebola, tour agencies specializing in the country were told.

Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Young Pioneers Tours issued separate statements Thursday saying they received news "from our partners in Pyongyang" that international tourists will not be allowed to enter North Korea starting Friday.

"It is presently unknown how long this closure will be in effect for but we are hopeful that our planned tours in November and December will take place" Koryo Tours said.

KCNA, the country's state-run news agency said North Korea is taking "preventive measures" on Friday, to "control the infection by Ebola."

It stated that travelers would "undergo more thorough-going check and quarantine... than ever before." North Korea's public health agencies are "regularly examining all people in order to rapidly confirm people suspicious of having contracted the disease and taking measures to treat them," KCNA reported.

Full story: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/24/world/asia/ebola-north-korea-tourist-closure/index.html


-- CNN 2014-10-24

[TVGerry]

That should help. The 10 people who visit annually put the country in great risk!

[wangsuda]

Well there goes my plan for New Year's.

[lust]

North Korea restricting tourism because North Korea.

[uel1968]

The real truth is,they gotta clear the back log of Swiss cheese at the airport!

[Credo]

I think the virus might even starve to death in North Korea.

[lee b]

Who on earth wants to visit North Korea? Don't think that the average tourist would care about this place

[lee b]

That should help. The 10 people who visit annually put the country in great risk!

Doesn't Dennis R take up most of the visit visas anyway?

[ABCer]

I'm a bit confused... Are we talking about in-bound or out-bound tourism?

I remember a medal bestowed on a Russian border service dog apprehending 248 border crossers.

247 of them - out-bound!

Edited October 25, 2014 by ABCer

[ggt]

This is very good new for tourists...but it begs the question...where will they find the foreigners to throw into prison for no real reason?

[rickirs]

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Who on earth wants to visit North Korea? Don't think that the average tourist would care about this place

A lot of Chinese do visit. it's kind of like them going on a safari in Africa but much closer and cheaper.

[godden]

Doing the exact opposite to TAT, so who's got it right?????

[mikiea]

chinese do not go to north k, there are no upscale malls, no good food & nothing to see or buy, they do have big bucks these days. south k is the place to go.shopping, good food attractions, clean citys and the treat the visitors very good. many years in china, never heard of anyone even wanting to visit. :-)

[irishsmile]

Quarantined? = shot!

[otocheater]

Still got human go to North Korea? I thought only Zombie living there.

They can be friends with Ebola then.

God bless you. X

[Songhua]

The tourist authority of North Korea (TANK) has released projected figures for the next quarter:

Arrivals: 0

Revenue: 0

[MJP]

The tourist authority of North Korea (TANK) has released projected figures for the next quarter:

Arrivals: 0

Revenue: 0

[JacChang]

"It stated that travelers would "undergo more thorough-going check and quarantine... than ever before." North Korea's public health agencies are "regularly examining all people in order to rapidly confirm people suspicious of having contracted the disease and taking measures to treat them," KCNA reported."

Civilians would be chopped open and checked if there is any traces of ebola in the body.