(Photo: Yonhap)
South Korea and Saipan have signed a deal to create a so-called travel bubble, which will exempt people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from mandatory quarantine upon entry into each other's territory.
The island in the Western Pacific is the first partner of Seoul's travel bubble initiative that was announced in early June.
A travel bubble refers to a quarantine-free travel partnership between two or more cities or countries with similar levels of coronavirus cases.
Under the agreement, visitors will be required to receive full COVID-19 vaccinations, authorized by their health authorities, at least two weeks ahead of their trips.
Travelers will also have to carry official certificates of vaccine shots and submit documents showing a negative result of a coronavirus test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.
Only group tours arranged by travel agencies can benefit from the agreement that is expected to take effect in late July or early August, after related preparations are made.
Saipan, a U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is a popular vacation destination among South Koreans.
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