Health Centers Need Not Report Visa Overstays
Japan's health ministry says officials tracing infection routes among foreigners who tested positive for the coronavirus need not report them to immigration authorities even if they were overstaying their visas.
At least 5,200 foreign nationals have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus in Japan as of the end of June.
The health ministry is concerned that foreigners overstaying their visas may not cooperate with contact tracing investigations by local health centers. It said they may fear that they could be reported to immigration authorities.
The ministry notified municipalities on Monday that if infection tracing finds foreigners who could face deportation, health centers need not report them so that investigations can be carried out smoothly.
But the ministry also said those foreigners should be requested to visit immigration authorities to obtain visas.
The ministry said infection tracing by health centers is essential, and that priority should be on anti-coronavirus measures. It called on foreigners to cooperate with infection tracing, and not fear being reported.