“WE have a lot of work ahead of us, but this is an agreement that is a working document — I look forward to having our first Korean flight at the end of the month,” Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said on Friday regarding the CNMI-South Korea travel bubble.
The governor extended his gratitude to the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce for their collaborative efforts in the establishment of the agreement with South Korea.
“Everyone has helped in this successful agreement,” he added.
Torres, on behalf of the CNMI, and Vice Minister Seong-Kyu Hwang of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea signed the travel bubble agreement on June 30, 2021 to facilitate the safe resumption of air travel between the two jurisdictions as early as July 1, 2021.
Those who wish to travel between the CNMI and South Korea under the travel bubble agreement must complete vaccination against Covid-19 at least 14 days ahead of departure with vaccines approved and provided by their respective governments.
People are generally considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
Approved travelers must have remained in their country of embarkation for at least 14 days prior to departure.
Travelers under the travel bubble must travel on direct nonstop flights between South Korea and the CNMI operated by their national carriers.
The agreement is for group tours between Seoul Incheon International Airport and the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
Other entry or exit points including Rota and Tinian may be added by mutual consent.
Travelers must also undertake a RT-PCR Covid-19 test within three days before departure and obtain a certificate of having tested negative for Covid-19 from the accredited laboratories by the health authorities of each country.
For the return trip, both Korean and the CNMI governments will provide convenience for travelers to be tested for Covid-19 three days before their departure.
Upon arrival at each destination, travelers will be subject to an on-arrival RT-PCR Covid-19 test.
They will be exempt from quarantine and allowed to travel as long as they test negative on their on-arrival test.
However, travelers may be placed on a controlled itinerary as required by health measures of both destinations.
