Japan: Authorities issue COVID-19-related state of emergency for Tokyo, surrounding prefectures until at least Feb. 7 /update 39

Event

Japanese authorities have declared a state of emergency for metropolitan Tokyo, including Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba prefectures, Jan. 8-Feb. 7, due to rising coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Under the targeted measures, local governments have requested that restaurants and drinking establishments close at 2000 daily. Authorities will also ask residents to remain at home after 2000, encourage businesses to allow telecommuting for 70 percent of employees, and reduce capacity at sporting and entertainment venues to 50 percent up to a cap of 5,000 people. The measures remain unenforceable under Japanese law, but compliance has generally been high; officials will publicly list establishments that do not abide by the requests and provide increased subsidies for businesses that follow the recommendation.

Existing measures will continue in other parts of the country. 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.

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 most foreign nationals from entering the country through Jan. 31 due to a new COVID-19 variant. Only Japanese citizens and resident foreign nationals can enter the country. The government is no longer honoring visas issued since Oct. 1. Officials require returning citizens and residents to present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of departure. Inbound passengers with a negative test result can self-quarantine for 14 days, while passengers without test documentation must quarantine at designated locations.

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