Japan On Course To Ease Re - Entry Restrictions


Japan on course to ease re-entry restrictions

NHK has learned that the Japanese government is planning to ease the strict re-entry ban that has been in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The government is currently denying entry to foreigners from 146 countries and territories. The restrictions even apply to permanent residents and students. Exceptions can be made for childbirths and relatives' funerals.

But calls have been growing to relax the ban to spur the resumption of social and economic activity.

So the government is planning to allow the re-entry of all residential status holders on the condition that they take PCR virus tests and quarantine themselves for two weeks at designated hotels. The measures are similar to those currently taken for Japanese travelers.

About 2.6 million foreigners hold resident status in Japan. Officials are preparing to expand the testing capabilities at Narita and two other major airports to 10,000 people per day next month to meet the demand.