Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will tighten its COVID border checks measures starting on Sunday for travelers from China in response to a spike in infections among these visitors.
Before boarding direct flights from China, additional steps would require negative coronavirus tests, according to Kishida on Wednesday, scaling up the Dec. 30 measures.
“Someone said during a New Year’s press conference that was broadcast nationally that Japan would keep asking airlines to restrict additional flights from China.” This press conference took place on New Year’s. “Someone broadcast the press conference nationally.”
As we take every precaution to prevent illnesses, Kishida continued, “necessary limits are still in place.
“Someone chose in response to recent COVID-19 test results on travelers from China and similar actions taken by other nations.”
To provide Covid vaccines to China, the EU is “standing by.”
53 of the 56 overseas passengers who tested positive for COVID upon arrival at airports on Tuesday were from China. This information was provided by a count by the Japanese health ministry.
Comparatively speaking, all 25 of the tourists with positive test results on Monday were from China.
According to the European Commission’s report on Tuesday, the majority of EU countries support pre-departure screening for travelers from China.
“South Korea and the United States, among others, have implemented such restrictions.” These restrictions have been dubbed “discriminatory” by Beijing. The countries that have implemented these restrictions include South Korea, the United States, and others.
“Japan’s foreign ministry announced that they will ease the limits imposed last week.” Direct flights from Hong Kong and Macau will be permitted to land at airports other than Narita and Haneda near Tokyo, Kansai near Osaka, and Chubu near Nagoya. Narita and Haneda are airports located near Tokyo. Kansai and Chubu are airports located near Osaka and Nagoya, respectively.
The list of destination airports will expand on Sunday. Airlines must continue to maintain extra flights from Hong Kong and Macau, according to the ministry.