Japan: Authorities to expand and extend COVID-19-related emergency measures through Sept. 12 /update 58

Event

Japanese officials plan to extend and expand emergency measures in parts of the country through Sept. 12 due to increased COVID-19 activity. Authorities will enforce the protocols in Fukuoka, Gunma, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kyoto, Shizuoka, and Tochigi prefectures Aug. 20-Sept. 12. The emergency rules will also remain in effect in Tokyo and Chiba, Kanagawa, Okinawa, Osaka, and Saitama prefectures. In areas under the state of emergency, restaurants and bars cannot serve alcohol and must close by 20:00. Local officials can also request that residents in the designated areas refrain from nonessential outings. Authorities can close or restrict operating hours of businesses - typically, nonessential entertainment businesses and retail. Venues can only accommodate 50 percent of capacity, up to 5,000 people. Businesses violating the rules may face fines of up to JPY 300,000. Local governments may also reduce the frequency or operating hours of mass transit.

Authorities also plan to extend and expand the less restrictive so-called quasi-emergency measures in other prefectures through Sept. 12. The quasi-emergency restrictions will continue in Aichi, Fukushima, Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Kumamoto, and Shiga prefectures. Ehime, Gifu, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Mie, Miyagi, Okayama, Toyama, and Yamanashi prefectures will enact the quasi-emergency rules Aug. 20-Sept. 12. Under quasi-states of emergency, governors can implement various restrictions, such as placing caps on large gatherings, in specific municipalities. The central government has requested that restaurants and bars in prefectures under quasi-emergency measures halt alcohol sales. 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 protocols. 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.

Travel Restrictions
Japan continues to ban most foreign nationals from entering the country; however, foreigners with legal resident status are exempt. Officials may also permit some nonresident foreigners to enter under special circumstances. The government has barred entry to all foreign nationals, including legal residents, who visited Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka within 14 days before arrival; exceptions are possible for legal residents who departed Japan before the measures took effect and designated Special Permanent Residents.

Officials require returning citizens and residents to present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. 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.

Inbound passengers with a negative test result can self-quarantine for 14 days. However, authorities require travelers from some locations to quarantine at government-designated facilities for three, six, or 10 days before entering self-quarantine for the remaining period. Officials require inbound passengers who have visited several locations, including France, Ireland, the Philippines, Thailand, some Russian oblasts, the UK, and several US states, to quarantine at government-designated facilities for three days. Inbound passengers with a travel history to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Zambia within 14 days before arrival must quarantine at a government-designated facility for six days and undergo testing twice before completing the remainder of the 14-day self-quarantine period. Individuals arriving from Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan must complete a 10-day quarantine at a government-designated facility and take three COVID-19 tests before undergoing self-quarantine for the four remaining days. For a complete list of affected locations and quarantine requirements, click here.

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