Japan: Authorities to ban entry for non-resident foreigners from Nov. 30 due to new COVID-19 variant /update 66

Event

Authorities will indefinitely ban entry for most foreign nationals from 00:01 Nov. 30 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. The move effectively reverses relaxations introduced Nov. 8 that allowed fully vaccinated non-resident foreigners to enter for approved purposes such as business, work, and education. Returning citizens and foreigners with resident status may still enter; those traveling from high-risk countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe must quarantine at government-designated facilities for at least 10 days and undergo three COVID-19 tests. Individuals who test negative can undergo self-quarantine for the remainder of the 14-day quarantine period. Officials may tighten or expand restrictions on short notice in the coming weeks as new cases of the COVID-19 variant emerge in other countries.

International Travel Restrictions
Foreigners with legal resident status are allowed. Officials may also permit some non-resident foreigners to enter under exceptional circumstances. Officials require entrants 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.

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.

Inbound passengers with a negative test result can self-quarantine for 14 days. However, authorities mandate that travelers from some locations quarantine at government-designated facilities for three, six, or 10 days before entering self-quarantine for the remaining period. Individuals in quarantine must return a negative COVID-19 test result before departing government-designated facilities. For a complete list of affected locations and quarantine requirements, click here. Fully vaccinated arrivals with the AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, or Moderna vaccines and a Japanese-issued or recognized "vaccine passport" must quarantine for up to 10 days at their residence and test negative before leaving quarantine.

Returning residents must complete a pledge to abide by quarantine orders, maintain location data on their mobile phones, and refrain from using public transport for the first 14 days in the country, depending on vaccination status. 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.

Domestic Restrictions
Officials allow capacity at sports and entertainment venues to 50 percent. 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. While local governments may enforce measures according to disease activity, most establishments that adhere to antivirus protocols in areas including Tokyo, Osaka, and their surrounding prefectures can remain open until 20:00.

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