Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that as of Friday, Japan will need Covid-19 tests upon arrival for Chinese mainland visitors, after Beijing’s announcement that it will cease inbound quarantine requirements.
In recent months, Tokyo has loosened its restrictions on tourists, and as a result, only Chinese travelers will be required to have Covid-19 testing upon arrival, unless they are exhibiting symptoms.
Kishida stated on Tuesday that the decision was made because “there are reports that the disease is rapidly spreading” in China.
“It is difficult to determine the precise situation due to significant differences between central and local authorities and the government and the private sector,” he told reporters.
After three years of tight pandemic control, Beijing has declared that inbound travelers will no longer be needed to undergo quarantine upon arrival beginning January 8.
After countrywide demonstrations, China quickly relaxed many of its severe Covid regulations, resulting in an extraordinary increase in infections.
Additionally, a Japanese Alzheimer’s test kit has been authorized as a breakthrough.
Kishida stated that beginning on Friday, travelers from mainland China or who have been there within seven days will be forced to take a test upon arrival in Japan.
JAPAN IMPOSES COVID REGULATIONS
Those who test positive will be isolated in specified facilities for seven days.
Kishida stated that Tokyo will also limit planes arriving from mainland China.
After two and a half years of Covid restrictions that effectively barred foreign travelers, Japan did not fully reopen to tourists until October.
In November, 934,500 foreigners visited Japan, around 40 percent fewer than in the same month prior to the 2019 epidemic.
30 percent of all foreign visitors to Japan in 2019 originated from the Chinese mainland.
»Japan alerts Chinese travelers of negative Covid results«