Japan: Government expands entry ban to 11 more countries from May 27 /update 28

Event

The Japanese government announced on Monday, May 25, that it will ban entry for travelers arriving from another 11 countries as of Wednesday, May 27, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The countries to be included in the entry ban are India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, El Salvador, Argentina, South Africa, Ghana, and Guinea. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also stated that border control measures will remain in place until the end of June, without giving further details.

Japanese authorities previously announced a ban on foreign nationals from multiple countries, which can be found here. Foreign travelers who have been to these territories in the preceding 14 days will be prohibited from entering Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also advised its citizens against nonessential travel abroad, particularly to the countries mentioned in the latest measures.

On May 25, all remaining areas with states of emergency in place had them lifted following a drop in cases. The areas that were still under a state of emergency were Tokyo, Osaka, and the island of Hokkaido. Prime Minister Abe had previously lifted the state of emergency in most prefectures on Thursday, May 14.

As of Tuesday, May 26, authorities have confirmed 16,581 cases of COVID-19 and 830 associated deaths in Japan. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term. 

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus. Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: 

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.