Japan: Officials indefinitely extend ongoing entry and quarantine measures as of Dec 30. /update 69

Event

Japan is extending tightened travel rules indefinitely due to concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Officials are limiting inbound international arrivals to 3,500 per day. Since Dec. 8, foreigners with Japanese resident status can no longer enter the country from nations in the high-risk category. Affected locations as of Dec. 30 include Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Exemptions are possible for children and spouses of Japanese citizens, diplomats, and humanitarian reasons.

Domestic measures continue. Officials may tighten or expand restrictions on short notice in the coming weeks as new cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant emerge in other countries.

Domestic Measures
Officials allow up to 50-percent capacity at sports and entertainment venues. 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.

International Travel Restrictions
The government maintains high-risk designations for over 60 locations such as several African and European countries, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. Enhanced quarantine requirements are also in effect for parts of India and the US. Entrants from such territories must undergo institutional quarantine for 3, 6, or 10 days before completing the remainder of the 14-day quarantine period at home or pre-arranged accommodation. Individuals must take up to three COVID-19 tests while in the quarantine facility and return a negative COVID-19 test result before exiting it. For a complete list of affected locations and quarantine requirements, click here.

An entry ban for most foreign nationals is in place until further notice. 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 residents and foreigners with legal resident status are allowed; most non-citizens from some high-risk locations may not enter from Dec. 2. Officials may also permit some non-resident foreigners to enter under exceptional circumstances. Entrants must present negative results of 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. In some circumstances, exceptions may be possible, but affected passengers must contact their local Japanese diplomatic mission before departure.

Regardless of vaccination status, permitted international arrivals will no longer qualify for quarantine relaxations. They must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, unless from high-risk countries which require enhanced measures. Arrivals 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. 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. 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