Japan: Government to lift COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo and eight prefectures from June 20 /update 54

Event

Japanese authorities plan to end the existing COVID-19-related state of emergency in Tokyo and the prefectures of Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Kyoto, Okayama, and Osaka from June 20. However, the measure will remain in force in Okinawa until July 11. Officials request that several classes of nonessential businesses remain closed in areas under state of emergency controls. Authorities could ask retail outlets to sell only essential goods, temporarily close, or restrict operating hours; they could 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. Authorities also request that residents in the designated areas refrain from nonessential outings.

So-called quasi-states of emergency will be in effect in Tokyo, along with Aichi, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Osaka prefectures from June 20 to July 11. As of June 18, quasi-state of emergency controls are active in Chiba, Gifu, Kanagawa, Mie, and Saitama. The measures will stay in force in Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama until at least July 11, while they will be lifted in Gifu and Mie on June 20. Under quasi-states of emergency, governors are able to implement various restrictions in specific municipalities, such as limiting times during which alcohol may be served or placing caps on large gatherings; violations carry a fine of up to JPY 200,000.

In other areas of Japan, authorities continue to limit attendance at most sports 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.

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.

International Travel Restrictions
Japan continues to ban most foreign nationals from entering the country; however, those who have legal resident status in Japan are exempt from the rule. Officials may also permit some non-resident foreigners to enter under special circumstances. The government has banned all foreign nationals, including legal residents, who visited Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka within 14 days prior to arrival; exceptions are possible for legal residents who departed Japan before the measures took effect and designated Special Permanent Residents. Bilateral agreements allowing business travel from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, Brunei, and South Korea remain suspended.

Officials require returning citizens and residents to present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. 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. In some circumstances, exceptions may be possible, but affected passengers must contact their local Japanese diplomatic mission before departure. Individuals arriving from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Canadian province of Ontario, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Spain, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, the UAE, the UK, and Ukraine 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. The requirement also applies to travelers from the US states of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Officials mandate inbound passengers from Vietnam and Malaysia quarantine for six days at a government-designated facility and undergo testing twice before completing the remainder of the 14-day self-quarantine period. Individuals arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka must complete a 10-day quarantine period at a government-designated facility and undergo COVID-19 testing on days three and six; such individuals are then required to self-quarantine for four additional days.

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.

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