This move comes after Japan reported 1st cases of newly detected fast-spreading variant in passengers arriving from the United Kingdom on Friday.
The government of Japan is imposing new tighter and tougher entry procedures for Japanese nationals and residents, who from now on will no longer be exempt from 14-day quarantine.
The ban will take effect from 28th December,2020 and will run through January.
“For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the following 152 countries/regions within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan in pursuant to the Article 5, paragraph (1), item (xiv) of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, unless special exceptional circumstances are found.”, stated Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The full list of 152 countries can be found here.
Here are some quarantine rules for those who can enter the country:
- Japanese nationals arriving from the UK and South Africa must self-quarantine for 3 days at a designated place. A COVID-19 test will be required on the 3rd day.
- Permitted arrivals from the UK and South Africa (such as Japanese nationals and residents) will be required to submit location information and install a COVID-19 tracing app.
- Japanese citizens and foreign residents who enter or return to Japan from the countries where the new COVID-19 variant has been found, will be allowed to enter but must show proof of a negative coronavirus test 72 hours before departing for Japan and must quarantine for two weeks after arrival.
More countries are banning travel from UK amid concerns over a new and fast-spreading variant of coronavirus spreading in the United Kingdom. Effective Monday, United States will also require a a proof of negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before the flight from all travellers from the United Kingdom.