Japan might exempt short-term business travellers from quarantine
This could apply to short-term business travellers who’ll be in Japan for 72 hours or less
As the world is still dealing with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, international travel remains heavily restricted. Currently, Japanese citizens and foreign residents re-entering Japan are subject to a two-week quarantine upon arrival. However, the country is looking to lift this requirement for citizens, foreign residents and business travellers by the end of October.
According to Kyodo News, Japan is now considering exempting short-term business travellers from quarantine if they are planning to only be in the country for 72 hours or less. This ease of entry restrictions will apply to business travellers from countries and regions which have existing economic ties with Japan, including China, South Korea and Taiwan. If this gets approved, the new ruling could go into effect as early as November.
As for which countries are eligible for this exemption, the Japan government is planning to make the decision based on the country's coronavirus situation. Japan is already setting up a business travel corridor with Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam. The precautionary measures that apply to the aforementioned travel corridor includes virus testing and limiting the number of places one can visit. Similar restrictions will be put in place for other short-term business travellers who are allowed into Japan.
With regards to other forms of international travel, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are still set to proceed come summer 2021 and Japan is looking to reopen to all tourists by spring next year.
Follow live updates on the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Tokyo and Japan here.
- Kaila Imada
- Associate Editor, Time Out Tokyo
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