Japan: Authorities to impose stricter COVID-19-related business and gathering controls in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo April 25-May 11 /update 47

Event

Authorities have announced additional business and gathering restrictions in Tokyo and the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo April 25-May 11 in response to increased COVID-19 activity. Officials are requesting several classes of nonessential businesses, including entertainment venues, to close during the period. Retails outlets have been asked to only sell essential goods. Authorities will restrict operational times and reduce the frequency of mass transit services. Under the controls, restaurants and bars will be banned from serving alcohol. Officials require restaurants to close by 20:00. Businesses violating the rules may face fines of up to JPY 300,000 (USD 2,779). Authorities are requesting residents in the designated areas to refrain from nonessential outings. Officials could extend the controls to additional areas in the coming days and weeks.

Similar, though slightly less strict controls, are set to continue in Miyagi and Okinawa through at least May 5, along with Aichi through at least May 11. In those areas, officials require restaurants and drinking establishments to stop serving alcohol from 19:00 and close by 20:00 daily. Authorities also ask residents to remain at home after 20:00, encourage businesses to allow telecommuting, and reduce capacity at sporting and entertainment venues to 50 percent, with a cap of 5,000 people. Businesses violating the rules may face fines of up to JPY 200,000 (USD 1,852).

In other areas of Japan, authorities continue to limit attendance at most sporting and entertainment venues up to a maximum of 10,000 people. Companies must adhere to social distancing directives. Some organizations have reduced capacity at facilities, established temperature checks, or encouraged telecommuting for employees. Sporadic rail and flight disruptions remain possible nationwide amid generally reduced demand, especially on routes to and from areas under state of emergency orders. Physical distancing requirements are in place on most long-distance transport services.

Travel Restrictions
The government continues to ban most foreign nationals from entering the country. Only Japanese citizens and resident foreign nationals can enter the country; however, officials permit foreigners to enter under special circumstances. Authorities may continue to prohibit business travel from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, Brunei, and South Korea beyond the state of emergency period.

Officials require returning citizens and residents to present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of departure for Japan. Inbound passengers with a negative test result can self-quarantine for 14 days. The government does not permit people who cannot undergo testing to board flights or enter Japan. Exceptions may be possible in some circumstances, but affected passengers must contact their local Japanese diplomatic mission before departure. As of April 24, individuals arriving from Finland, Spain, Ukraine, the Philippines, the Canadian province of Ontario, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Pakistan, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the UAE must quarantine at a government-designated facility for three days and undergo COVID-19 testing before completing the remainder of the 14-day self-quarantine period.

Returning residents must complete a pledge to abide by quarantine orders, maintain location data on their mobile phones, and refrain from using public transport during the first 14 days in the country. Entrants must also download the OSSMA, Skype, and COVID-19 Contact Confirming Application (COCOA) mobile applications. People that refuse may have to quarantine at designated facilities. Officials could publicly name citizens and foreign residents who violate quarantine orders; foreign nationals could also lose their residence status.

Flights from South Korea and China are only authorized to land at Narita International Airport (NRT) and Kansai International Airport (KIX). Transit flights for foreign nationals are only allowed through NRT. International passenger ferry services remain suspended.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Postpone travel if affected by an entry ban. Allow additional time for immigration and health screenings. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Confirm international flight reservations. Closely monitor national travel advisories, as additional restrictions to and from Japan are likely. Consider telecommuting options for staff. Make allowances for likely increased employee absenteeism and related business disruptions.

Resources

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japan National Tourism Organization