According to Kyodo News, Japan has extended its entry restrictions to the end of February as a measure against the Omicron variant. The current rules – which have been in place since November 30 2021 – effectively ban all new entries by foreign nationals who are not already residents of Japan. The ban currently includes foreign exchange students and even spouses of Japanese nationals, who are only allowed in under exceptional circumstances.
There are also strict measures in place for those who do have permission to enter the country, requiring travellers from certain destinations to spend their initial days of quarantine at a government facility.
Reuters quoted Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying that the government would ‘maintain the current framework of measures until the end of February for the time being.’ Kishida then added that in addition to extending its entry restrictions, Japan will soon begin its vaccine rollout for children under 12 to prevent further spread of Covid-19.
Coronavirus case numbers are rising in Japan, with three prefectures – Okinawa, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi – now under quasi-emergency measures until January 31.
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