Chinese tourists worry about Korea’s MERS scare

A total of 95 South Koreans had tested positive for MERS until Tuesday, the ministry claims.

The newly identified virus that causes MERS is considered deadlier but less contagious than severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, but no cure has been found yet.

Previously known as a novel coronavirus, cases of MERS are expected to rise in South Korea, according to the World Health Organization.

But the United Nations agency stresses that there is no evidence of sustained transmission. So far, easy human-to-human transmission has not been proven, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told media earlier.

As long as MERS patients are quarantined and treated, there's no need to impose restrictions on population flow, Lindmeier added.

"We haven't received any travel ban or notice suggesting it's not safe to go to South Korea from Chinese government organs, such as the China National Tourism Administration," says Zhu Linlin, manager of the South Korean tourism authority's Beijing office.

"Most parts of the country, such as Jeju Island, have not been affected," Zhu says.

But, the Foreign Ministry's consular department has cautioned Chinese contemplating visits to South Korea to pay close attention to the situation.

At the moment, tour packages to the country are still widely available.

A five-day classical tour of Seoul was shown to cost more than 2,500 yuan ($403) for June on Ctrip's website. The price is not affected by the epidemic, according to Ctrip.

Tourists can be insured for free for unconditional cancellation.

Trips to other popular areas, such as Jeju Island and Busan, are also on offer.

However, medical workers have reserved scruples for people traveling to the country.

"There's no official ban on traveling to South Korea, because the disease has not been widely transmitted," says Xie Xiaoyue, director of the infection management department at First Hospital of Tsinghua University. "But we don't recommend people travel to places where multiple cases have been reported."

If travelers insist on going, Xie says it's especially important to wash one's hands frequently.

"People have the tendency of unconsciously touching their noses, which can trigger the infection," she explains.

Since the route of transmission still remains unclear, precautionary measures, such as wearing a gauze mask and keeping a distance of 1 to 2 meters from strangers are recommended, Xie says.

At the moment, travelers in groups and individuals can go on their schedule if they want, a Ctrip official says. Chinese tourists who are already traveling in that country won't have their itineraries changed, says Dai Yu, Ctrip's marketing director.

"For now, we haven't received requests from guests to return from South Korea ahead of schedule," Dai says.

The company says it will accept traveler's cancellation and rescheduling requests.