Japan: Authorities add multiple countries to entry ban on July 1 /update 31

Event

On Wednesday, July 1, the Japanese government added passengers from 18 countries to an entry ban in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The new countries are Algeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eswatini, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Senegal. The additions bring the total number of countries on the list to 129; a full list of affected countries can be found here. However, the government is reportedly considering easing entry restrictions for countries that have stabilized their COVID-19 outbreaks. The Japanese government has previously announced that negotiations are ongoing with the governments of Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam to ease some travel restrictions with regards to transfers and visits by technical and business personnel.

On June 19, the Japanese government lifted domestic travel restrictions. Authorities rescinded an advisory instructing members of the public to avoid leaving infected prefectures and encouraged the public to attend events with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Gatherings of up to 1000 people for outdoor and indoor events are now permitted, and baseball games will resume without spectators from Friday. Both All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines announced on June 18 that they would increase domestic flights in July based on demand; however, these will operate on a reduced schedule.

As of Thursday, July 2, authorities have confirmed 18,741 cases of COVID-19 and 976 associated deaths in Japan. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

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.