The government elevated its alert for South Koreans wishing to enter China’s earthquake-ravaged province, Sichuan, Tuesday, saying travelers should remain cautious about aftershocks and a possible outbreak of epidemics.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade designated the province as a Travel-Alert Level 2 area, about a week after putting it on the list of areas at Travel-Alert Level 1.

There are four travel alert levels. The government restricts traveling to areas on Travel-Alert Level 3 and 4, but allows travelers to enter Level 1 and 2 areas.

No South Korean earthquake victims have been reported in the Sichuan province, but the government is not sure about the safety of travelers amid reports that conditions in the earthquake zone are ripe for outbreaks of disease and fears about major aftershocks are growing, ministry officials said.

The ministry has instructed the Korean mission in China to take emergency measures for the safety of Koreans in the province, they said.

Meanwhile, the government decided to offer an additional $4 million aid to China to help it recover from the quake at the request of the Chinese government. Last week, Seoul provided $1 million in aid and dispatched rescue workers and medical staff to the quake-hit areas.

Korea also provided relief supplies including 1,300 tents and 5,000 blankets to the provincial capital of Cheungdu via a special cargo flight on Sunday. China has made a specific request for relief material including tents, sleeping bags, generators, water purifiers, stretchers, cutting machines, winches and medicines, according to the ministry.

On Monday, the Chinese government appealed for more international aid at the beginning of a three-day period of mourning for tens of thousands of quake victims.

“The government will actively participate in the international efforts to provide assistance to the Chinese areas devastated by the earthquake,'’ a ministry spokesman said.