Japan: Entry restrictions extended to additional 14 countries April 27 /update 22

Event

The Japanese government announced on Monday, April 27, that it will be extending an entry ban on foreign nationals to include an additional 14 countries due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Djibouti, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Barbados will be included in the latest entry ban. The updated list will cover a total of 87 countries, which can be found here. Foreign travelers who have been to these areas in the preceding 14 days will be prohibited from entering Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also advised its citizens against non-essential travel abroad, particularly to the countries mentioned in the latest measures.

As of Monday, April 27, authorities have confirmed 13,385 COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 364 deaths. Most COVID-19 cases are currently in Tokyo, which has 3908 confirmed cases, as of April 26. Previously, on Thursday, April 16, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the current state of emergency would be extended to the entire country until Wednesday, May 6. While the state of emergency does not include a lockdown, it has given prefecture governments the power to request that residents remain at home unless they are buying food or seeking medical assistance. The 2020 Olympics, originally set to take place in Tokyo, has also been pushed back to 2021 due to concerns about the virus.

Further international spread of the virus is likely over the coming weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus. Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: 

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.