The Japanese government is considering asking those returning to or reentering Japan from Vietnam to stay at designated facilities for six days in a response to the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in the country, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The new variant has a hybrid character of strains found in India and Britain and is said to be more infectious than other versions of the virus.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference on Monday that no infection with the variant had been confirmed in the nation and stressed, "We'll take the necessary measures in a flexible manner."
Currently, the government is asking those returning from Vietnam to stay home or at a suitable facility for two weeks. However, as additional defense against the virus variant, the government is planning to ask all such travelers to stay at designated facilities for at least six days. Then, if they test negative for the virus on the third and sixth days, they can spend the remainder of the two-week quarantine period at home.
The government is also considering asking travelers from Afghanistan to self-isolate at designated facilities for 10 days, those from Malaysia for six days, and those from the United States and parts of Thailand for three days.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
