Japan is Banning All Non-Resident Foreigners from Entering Due to New Coronavirus Strain


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28 Dec 2020 is a momentous day for Singapore.

That’s because Singapore is entering Phase 3, with restrictions set to ease even further during this period.

However, for Japan, 28 Dec 2020 is when they’ll tighten border restrictions in their country.

Japan is Banning All Non-Resident Foreigners from Entering Due to New Coronavirus Strain

Japan will be closed to non-residential foreign travellers from 28 Dec 2020, and the ban will carry on through Jan 2021.

The reason, as you can probably gauge from the headline, is the new coronavirus strain.

For Japanese nationals and foreign residents, they are still allowed to enter the country.

However, they’ll have to present a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours before departing for Japan and will have to serve quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

On 25 Dec 2020, Japan first reported cases of the fast-spreading coronavirus variant in passengers travelling from Britain.

Other than that, the UK variant was also detected in a man who visited the UK and a family member, the first two cases to be detected outside of the airport.

Worries About Surging Numbers

On Saturday, 26 Dec, Japan reported a record-breaking 949 new Covid-19 cases.

Serious cases, on the other hand, remains steady at 81 cases.

This sudden surge in cases took place just before the new year where scores of Japanese typically leave the city to the provinces.

The Japanese government also urges its people to practise public restraint so as to curb Covid-19 transmission.

Quiet Transport Hubs

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took to the stage to urge people to stay home and “avoid mixing”.

A day after his announcement, it was reported that Tokyo transport hubs, typically very bustling, were “subdued”.

It was reported that the prime minister is under a lot of pressure as the number of cases continues rising.


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After getting elected in September, he is now being criticised for his slow reaction to rising infections in Tokyo, as well as attending a group dinner event despite asking his people to be careful.

Featured Image: Ned Snowman / Shutterstock.com