A total of up to 250 business travelers from Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand could be allowed to enter Japan per day starting this summer under a proposed easing of coronavirus travel restrictions being considered by the government, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
As well as allowing visitors from the four countries -- which have largely brought the spread of the coronavirus under control and have close economic ties with Japan -- the government is making preparations to establish an organization dedicated to testing Japanese residents for the virus when they depart the country.
After a task force headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe soon decides on the proposed easing of entry into Japan, the government plans to hold full-fledged discussions with the four countries and aims to resume travel to and from these countries this summer.
It is expected that between 200 and 250 business visitors -- including managers, technical experts and technical intern trainees -- will be given special permission to enter Japan per day. The actual figure will be adjusted through restrictions on visas issued and the number of flights operating.
If a visitor to Japan tests negative for the coronavirus in a PCR test conducted after they arrive, they will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine period and be able to conduct their business activities provided their host company takes steps such as securing transportation for them and limiting their movement to work-related locations. However, these visitors will be told not to use public transportation.
In addition, these visitors will need to submit a certificate proving they tested negative for the virus before entering Japan and an itinerary listing details such as locations they will visit in the country. The government also plans to ask them to retain information about locations they visit, through a smartphone and other means, for 14 days after arriving in Japan as part of thorough preventive measures implemented to combat the spread of the virus.
To also enable business trips for Japanese residents, the government plans to decide the number of visitors allowed to enter from those four nations and the scope of permitted activities.
When a destination country requires a Japanese traveler to provide a certificate proving a negative coronavirus test, the government arranges for samples to be collected at places such as a company's health management center or a medical institute for overseas travelers, and for private testing laboratories and other entities to check these samples.
If entry restrictions are eased for more countries in the weeks and months ahead, the number of people requesting tests will increase, raising fears about the burden this will place on Japan's medical system. To alleviate this concern, the government also is considering setting up a PCR testing center for people departing Japan, which would handle a full-scale testing system for departees.
The government has basically banned the entry of foreign nationals from 111 nations and territories, including Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand, because of the coronavirus pandemic. People traveling from countries granted entry to Japan are requested to self-isolate at home or in an accommodation facility for 14 days after they arrive. The government has advised Japanese nationals to avoid traveling to 129 countries and regions, and also urges them to refrain from nonessential travel to all other countries.
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