Japan: Officials issues COVID-19-related state of emergency declarations for Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Okayama prefectures May 16-31 /update 50

Event

Authorities have declared states of emergency for Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Okayama prefectures May 16-31 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The declaration is already in effect for Tokyo and Aichi, Fukuoka, Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures until May 31. In affected prefectures, officials request that several classes of nonessential businesses remain closed. Officials could ask retail outlets to sell only essential goods, temporarily close, or restrict operating hours. Authorities can also limit operating hours and reduce the frequency of mass transit services. Restaurants and bars cannot serve alcohol and must close by 20:00. Venues can only hold 50 percent of capacity, up to 5,000 people. Businesses violating the rules may face fines of up to JPY 300,000 (USD 2,741). Authorities also request that residents in the designated areas refrain from nonessential outings. Officials could extend the controls to additional areas in the coming days and weeks.

The government will also expand the so-called quasi-state of emergency measures to Gunma, Ishikawa, and Gunma prefectures May 16-June 13. The regulations, which permit governors to implement various restrictions in specific municipalities, are already in effect for Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gifu, Mie, Ehime, and Okinawa prefectures. Possible restrictions essentially mirror the state of emergency controls but carry a fine of up to JPY 200,000 (USD 1,828) for noncompliance.

In other areas of Japan, authorities continue to limit attendance at most sporting and entertainment venues 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 some foreigners to enter under special circumstances. The government has banned all foreign nationals, including residents, who visited India, Pakistan, or Nepal within 14 days of arrival; exceptions are possible for legal residents that departed Japan before May 14 and designated Special Permanent Residents. Authorities continue to suspend bilateral agreements allowing business travel from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, Brunei, and South Korea.

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. Individuals arriving from Finland, Spain, Ukraine, the Philippines, the Canadian province of Ontario, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, India, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, the US states of Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, and Tennessee, 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. Individuals arriving from India, Pakistan, or Nepal must complete a six-day quarantine at a government-designated facility and undergo COVID-19 testing before completing the rest 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 who 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