[ad_1]
TOKYO: Japan plans to lift the ban on overseas travel to China and 11 other countries next month, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday (October 8).
The other 11 countries and regions include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, Yomiuri said.
The Japanese government, which currently bans travel to 159 countries and regions, will recommend that travelers refrain from making unnecessary and non-urgent visits to those 12 countries, the newspaper said.
READ: COVID-19: Singapore, Japan Launches ‘Residency Route’ for Business Travelers Holding Work Pass
READ: Tokyo Olympics will go ahead ‘with or without COVID’: IOC Vice President
Japan is on track to have 521 million doses of five different COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, compared to a population of 126 million.
The country will reduce the two-week self-quarantine requirement for some business travelers, the Nikkei reported Wednesday.
The new rules apply to returning Japanese and long-term visa holders, some of whom will be exempt from quarantine requirements, depending on the airport’s testing capacity, he added.
There will be a limit on the number of such exemptions, but no figure has been specified.
Such arrivals must present an itinerary and a negative PCR test result upon arrival, and will not be allowed to use public transportation upon their return, the news outlet reported.
Japan has already eased restrictions on round-trip travel with nations like South Korea and Vietnam, while allowing long-term residents of any country to enter from October.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
