Japan: Officials to impose bans on foreign residents with travel history in parts of South Asia from May 14. /update 49

Event

Japanese authorities are slightly tightening international entry restrictions while maintaining state of emergency measures in several key locations. Effective 00:01 May 14, foreign nationals with Japanese residency will be barred from reentering Japan if they have been in India, Pakistan, or Nepal within the previous 14 days. Exceptions to the ban are possible for legal residents who leave Japan prior to May 14. The entry ban does not apply to designated Special Permanent Residents. The travel restrictions will primarily impact foreign nationals with residency status in Japan since the government continues to ban nearly all nonresident foreign nationals from entering the country.

Authorities also plan to continue states of emergency in Tokyo and the prefectures of Aichi, Fukuoka, Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto through May 31. In locations under such measures, officials request that several classes of nonessential businesses, including entertainment venues, remain closed. Retail outlets are asked to only sell essential goods. Authorities restrict operating hours and reduce the frequency of mass transit services. Additionally, restaurants and bars are barred 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 2,738). 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.

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. Authorities have suspended bilateral agreements allowing business travel from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, Brunei, and South Korea for the duration of state of emergency controls; the entry restrictions may be further extended 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. 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