Even though Japan is no longer in a state of emergency, the government remains on high alert lest another Covid-19 wave should arise. Bars and restaurants are still required to operate on shortened business hours until 9pm and border restrictions remain tightly in place. In addition, residents have been urged to continue avoiding large gatherings, especially over the cherry blossom season.
Because the coronavirus situation remains volatile, government officials have also decided that it is too soon to resume the nationwide Go To Travel campaign, which has been suspended since December last year. Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency Atsumi Gamo declared on March 25 that it wouldn’t be possible to restart the campaign before the Golden Week holidays in May (the longest stretch of national holidays in Japan). Government officials later followed up to confirm that campaign wouldn't begin again until after June 2021.
While the Budget Committee officials are working on boosting the number of PCR tests to promote safer domestic travel, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kazuyoshi Akaba said that infection rate must subside further in order for Japan to consider boosting domestic tourism again.
This article was originally published on March 25 and updated on March 26.
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