Japan closes borders to non-resident foreigners
Japan closes borders to non-resident foreigners
The measure takes effect on Monday and will last until the end of January
Japan will halt all new arrivals of non-resident foreigners on its territory from Monday until the end of January, authorities announced Saturday as the country reported its first cases of contamination with the new strain of coronavirus.
Japan currently restricts the entry of foreigners from most countries for fear of the virus, requiring all visitors to submit to quarantine upon arrival. Tokyo now plans to strengthen these requirements: Japanese travellers and foreign residents from countries where the new strain of the virus has been reported will have to be tested within 72 hours of their departure and again upon arrival at Japanese airports.
The country will also strengthen quarantine requirements for all travellers returning to Japan.
Fear of the virus variant
Citing the government, Jiji Press and Kyodo said the measure was part of efforts to prevent the spread of a new variant of coronavirus, which is up to 70% more infectious.
Foreign visitors with visas will be allowed to enter, Kyodo said, with the exception of those who have visited the UK or South Africa - two of the countries where the strain has been detected - within two weeks of applying for an entry permit.
Japan's health ministry said on Friday that five people, all from Britain, had been infected with the new strain.
On Saturday, Tokyo reported a record 949 new infections in 24 hours, while the country recently passed the 3,000 daily case mark.
Source:- Flash News and News Agencies