Tougher ban takes effect on entry from China, South Korea

Quarantine lanes for passengers arriving from China and South Korea were set up at Haneda Airport's international terminal in Ota Ward, Tokyo, on Sunday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The government tightened restrictions on entry from China and South Korea on Monday, in a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Visas issued to people from China and South Korea will be suspended, and the government will require that visitors from both countries wait 14 days.

The government had previously restricted people from certain parts of China and South Korea from entering Japan, but the new steps expand the restriction to the whole of both nations.

Passengers on all aircraft and ships departing from China and South Korea after 12 a.m. Japan time on Monday are being required to wait. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has also decided to bar people from South Korea and China entering via third countries as it "could be a loophole."

Transit passengers at airports and ports in the two countries will also be included, in principle.

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