On Thursday, several travel agencies who oversee regular tours to North Korea have confirmed North Korea’s barring of tourists into the country. The shutdown of the country will start this Friday in order to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus into the country.
“We have just received official news from our partners in the DPRK that, as of tomorrow, tourists from any country, regardless of where they have recently visited, will not be permitted to enter,” member of Young Pioneer Tours, Gareth Johnson, told The Guardian.
North Korea becomes one of the first countries to enact a nationwide ban of tourists due to the Ebola virus. There has not been a single reported case of the Ebola virus inside the nation.
The Korean Central News Agency described the procedures the nation is taking in order to safeguard itself. “Information activities and strict border quarantine” were among the actions being taken.
However, this is not the first time the nation has closed itself off in fear of an epidemic. Back in 2003, North Korea closed its borders to foreigners in order to protect itself from the SARS virus that was prominent in Beijing.
The shutting of North Korean borders to tourists comes as a surprise to tourist agencies, especially since trends reveal that North Korea has been making efforts to attract more tourists.
According to information provided by touring agencies, some 4,000 to 6,000 tourists visit North Korea each year. A quarter of the tourists are said to be from the United States.
“The reason given was Ebola, and I can't think of any other reason, as they don't arbitrarily close the border," Simon Cockerell, managing director of Koryo Tours (a tour agency based in China), told USA Today.
It is uncertain how long North Korea will keep its borders closed to tourists. Other uncertainties include whether those traveling for business or political agendas will also be kept from entering the country.
