Newsman: Japan ban foreign nationals from entering the country from Monday for at least until the end of January’2021 after several cases of the new Covid-19 variant were recorded in the country. The entry bans for international travelers from more than 150 countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom. However, unlike many other countries, the US restrictions are limited to the Covid-19 test’s negative result for flying eligibility. More than 40 countries have already suspended travel with the United Kingdom as health officials announced a new coronavirus strain identified in the region was “out of control”.
The host country of the Tokyo’2020 Olympic Games scheduled to take place from July 23-August 8, 2021, has closed its borders to most foreign nationals as the new Japanese closure takes effect. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday asked his ministers to remain ready to implement measures to prevent the further spread of coronavirus infections, after daily case numbers hit a string of record highs in recent days. “The virus recognizes no year-end or New Year holidays. I ask each minister to raise the level of their sense of urgency and thoroughly carry out counter measures,” Suga told a meeting of the government’s taskforce on coronavirus responses.
The ministry of foreign affairs of Japan announced on Saturday, the Japanese government bars now most foreign nationals entering the country in an effort to restrain the spread of the virus effective on Dec. 28, 2020. Japan’s new restrictions upon the nation’s already strict entry requirements include on even Japanese nationals and foreigners with residency returning from short business trips, must now comply with 14-day quarantine, along with multiple COVID-19 tests. The entry bans were already in place for international travelers from more than 150 countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom.
Japan, once a glowing example of successful pandemic control, is now experiencing its highest-ever number of COVID-19 cases. And the highly infectious coronavirus variant has already been confirmed in Japan. In Tokyo, nearly 950 new cases were recorded on Saturday — a grim record for the island nation.
Countries around the world have turned to new border restrictions, increased testing and enhanced screening measures in a last-ditch effort to contain the new coronavirus strain, which was first identified in England in September. In the U.S., travelers from the U.K. must now provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure.
Prior to these new restrictions, the Shinzo Abe administration closed the borders to almost all travelers on April 3rd to stop the spread of COVID-19. Unlike guidelines put in place by many other governments, non-Japanese residents (including those with permanent residency status) were treated differently from Japanese citizens, who could return to Japan freely while most non-Japanese were blocked from entering and returning.
Restrictions were finally eased in August and September enabling non-Japanese residents to re-enter Japan. And in October, foreigners seeking to begin studies or a new job here were also allowed entry. However, getting into the country now requires a lot more complicated paperwork as well as a negative coronavirus test result within 72 hours prior to departure — none which are required from Japanese citizens. There are reports of companies and universities unwillingness to sign the pledge, particularly for the spouses of employees or students.
The earlier restrictions left many non-Japanese stranded abroad, kept away from jobs, homes and families in Japan, and the situation continued for months. The policy had the additional effect of trapping non-Japanese residents inside the country, fearful that if they left they wouldn’t be allowed back in. This prevented them from flying home for even matters such as caring for sick relatives or attending
