Japan: Authorities maintaining limited COVID-19 measures nationwide as of Nov. 30. /update 36

Event

Japanese authorities continue to maintain some nationwide restrictions due to persistent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Authorities are limiting sporting and entertainment venues to 50-percent capacity up to a maximum of 10,000 people. Some smaller venues and theaters can operate at full capacity. Business activity is mainly unaffected nationwide, but companies must adhere to social distancing directives. Some organizations have reduced capacity at facilities, established temperature checks, or encourage telecommuting for employees. Officials have warned of reissuing targeted state of emergency declarations for areas with rising COVID-19 transmission, and enhanced restrictions are possible in the coming days.

Several major cities have tightened restrictions on high-risk, nonessential businesses. Tokyo has raised its COVID-19 alert to the highest level due to a spike in cases in the capital. Officials have requested venues that serve alcohol close by 2200 daily through Dec. 17. The Osaka government raised its alert to red, or emergency, Dec. 4. Authorities have asked residents to stay home as much as possible and refrain from travel outside the city and extended a request for businesses serving alcohol to close by 2100 daily through Dec. 15. Aichi Prefecture is maintaining its alert at the second-highest level, and officials have requested that karaoke venues, hostess bars, and clubs in Nagyoa's Nishiki and Sakae districts close 2100-0500 daily through Dec. 18. In Hokkaido, the government has called for residents in Sapporo to stay at home as much as possible, limit dinners to four people, and reduce drinking periods to two hours. Officials have also requested that nightlife venues close 2200-0500 daily through Dec. 11 and asked residents in the prefecture to not travel to Sapporo. All the affected prefectures have called on residents to limit travel to other locations. While officials cannot enforce orders, compliance has generally been high. More prefectural governments could alter alert levels and request related business or movement restrictions in areas where COVID-19 activity increases.

Sporadic rail and flight disruptions remain possible nationwide amid generally reduced demand, especially in hard-hit areas. 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 commercial flight disruptions will probably continue in the coming weeks, possibly months, due to decreased demand amid travel restrictions. Authorities continue to suspend international passenger ferry services.

Travel Restrictions
The government continues to ban short-term travel, including business visits and tourism, for most foreign nationals. However, officials permit permanent residents, foreigners with a student, work, or long-term resident visa, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens and permanent residents to enter, regardless of their departure date from the country. Authorities allow short-term business and official travel from Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and mainland China with limited or no quarantine time. Business travelers from these countries must provide authorities with a copy of their itinerary, travel primarily between accommodations and worksites, and remain in contact with health officials during the first 14 days of their visit.

The government also allows long-term travel with a 14-day quarantine period from Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam under Residence Track agreements. Foreign nationals eligible for entry must get a new visa or Re-entry Confirmation Letter from the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission and provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of departure to enter the country. Officials are only accepting polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP), or chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) antigen tests.

Officials require all passengers to undergo a PCR COVID-19 test upon arrival. Most inbound passengers, including Japanese citizens, must self-quarantine for 14 days; travelers must isolate at a predetermined facility or at home but must arrange accommodations in advance. However, the government has also eased quarantine requirements for returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents on short-term trips from all locations. To qualify, a company or organization must agree to ensure that employees take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Travelers must also limit journeys (not including local quarantine time) to seven days and receive a negative COVID-19 test result upon their return. Returning residents and nationals must agree to only travel between home and work. Individuals under quarantine orders, Japanese nationals and foreign residents returning under business quarantine exemptions, and Business Track visitors must refrain from using public transportation and download the COCOA contact tracing mobile phone application.

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.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japan National Tourism Organization