North Korea Ebola ban lifted
North Korea has reopened its borders to foreign tourists after finally relaxing restrictions due to Ebola fears.
Although no cases of Ebola were reported in neighboring countries, the secretive state has been in virtual lockdown to the outside world.
During the last four months only foreign diplomats were allowed entry and they were also subject to a strict 21-day quarantine.
Although there is no official word from the Pyongyang government itself, North Korea’s state-run airline, Air Koryo has informed travel agents the ban has been lifted.
"We have been informed by Air Koryo that North Korea’s borders are now open for travel and the four-month-long Ebola travel ban was lifted as of Monday," said tour company Uri Tours.
China based Young Pioneer Tours also said: "The Ebola border restriction has been lifted and the country is once again open to tourism."
"We are taking bookings as normal for all of our 2015 tours," Young Pioneer Tours said.
In late February the regime announced the Pyongyang marathon would be closed to foreign athletes due to Ebola fears, even though several hundred runners had signed up to compete via official tour companies.
The marathon, which is one of North Korea’s most popular tourist events, takes place in April.
It is not known yet whether overseas runners will now be able to compete.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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