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25 Mar 2020 | 03:39 AM UTC

Japan: Entry restrictions expanded to 18 European countries March 24 /update 14

Japan to expand entry restrictions to travelers from 18 European countries from March 24; other restrictions remain in place

Critical

Event

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Tuesday, March 24, that entry restrictions will be expanded to 18 European countries to prevent further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. Affected countries include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the Vatican. Any individual who has been to any of those countries within the past 14 days prior to arrival to Japan will be denied entry. Similar restrictions remain in place for China, Iran, Iceland, San Marino, and South Korea.

Other quarantine measures remain in place as of Tuesday. All individuals traveling from the US, Europe, Egypt, Iran, and multiple other countries, regardless of nationality, will be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival to Japan and will be asked to refrain from using public transportation. The measures will remain in effect through the end of April. Also on Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the Olympic games originally scheduled to begin on July 24 will be postponed for a year as a precaution.

As of March 24, 1193 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the country. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:

  • Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
  • When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
  • If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.