Japan: Officials to tighten quarantine rules for additional countries and extend entry ban to some foreigners with resident status from Dec. 2 /update 68

Event

Japan is further tightening travel rules due to concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Officials are limiting inbound international arrivals to 3,500 per day. Effective 00:01 Dec. 2, foreigners with Japanese resident status can no longer enter the country from ten nations in the high-risk category. Affected locations include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Exemptions are possible for children and spouses of Japanese citizens, diplomats, as well as humanitarian reasons. The government will also designate Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden as high-risk from Dec. 2.

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 Restrictions
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 is maintaining high-risk designations for at least 40 locations such as several African and European countries, Australia, and the UK. Additional countries including Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden will be classified as high-risk effective 00:01 Dec. 2. Entrants from such territories must undergo institutional quarantine for 3, 6, or 10 days before entering self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Individuals must take up to three COVID-19 tests while in the quarantine facility, as well as return a negative COVID-19 test result before exiting it. For a complete list of affected locations and quarantine requirements, click here.

An indefinite entry ban for most foreign nationals is in place through at least Dec. 31. 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. Exceptions may be possible in some circumstances, but affected passengers must contact their local Japanese diplomatic mission before departure.

Permitted international arrivals will no longer qualify for quarantine relaxations, regardless of vaccination status. 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. 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