CNMI To Open Travel Bubble With South Korea

A travel bubble is set to open between the Northern Marianas and South Korea on 8 January with a charter flight from South Korea.

Under the arrangement, tourists must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours before arriving in the Northern Marianas.

They will then take another test upon arrival and another test five days later.

Once they arrive, the tourists will be taken to Pacific Islands Club Saipan where they will quarantined for five days.

If fifth-day testing comes out negative for everyone aboard the flight, the tourists will then be transported to Kensington Hotel where they will continue their holidays.

The CNMI administration promised to set aside $US55,000 for the travel bubble, which will only be used if South Korean conglomerate E-Land, which owns three hotels in the CNMI, fails to fill the charter flight with 100 passengers.

The islands’ tourism body, the Marianas Visitors Authority, said the travel bubble is a litmus on the viability of opening the CNMI to tourism under the new normal.

If successful, it could pave the way for commencing a similar travel bubble with Japan.

(Source: RNZ)