Haneda Airport Terminal 1.
Photographer: Stanislav Kogiku / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
Photographer: Stanislav Kogiku / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
The Japanese government is banning most foreigners from entering until the end of January as coronavirus cases are reaching record highs there and the nation has confirmed the first cases of the new, more contagious strain of Covid.
The restrictions will be implemented on Monday, the government said in a statement. According to Saturday’s statement, Japanese nationals and foreigners with residence permits returning from short business trips are no longer exempt from 14 days of quarantine.
The move comes amid growing concerns about the spread of a new variant of the virus at a time when cases in Tokyo have reached new highs. The variant, which emerged in South East England in September and is spreading rapidly in the UK, is much more contagious than previous strains. Germany, France, Switzerland, Ireland and Sweden are among the countries that have confirmed the presence of the new variant.
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On Saturday, Japan’s capital reported a record 949 new cases, reporting that two other people, in addition to five confirmed on Friday, were found to be infected with the new species. Governor Yuriko Koike said the New Year’s holidays would be “a very important moment” that predicted Tokyo’s future in 2021, and asked residents not to go out during the holidays.
Japan’s travel restrictions follow steps taken by other countries to curb the spread of the virus, with early analysis suggesting the new variant may be as much as 70% more transmissible than other circulating strains.
The US will require passengers flying from the UK to show evidence of a negative test for coronavirus as of December 28, while regions from Hong Kong to Canada have temporarily suspended travel from the UK
– With the help of Kana Nishizawa
(Updates with additional details in second paragraph)