Japan Strengthens Quarantine for Passengers on China-Origin Flights to Prevent 'Wuhan Pneumonia'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the novel coronavirus infection that originated in Wuhan, China spreads rapidly, the Japanese government has decided to strengthen quarantine measures for all flights departing from China and arriving in Japan. Since publicly announcing on the 16th that a Chinese man in his 30s who had stayed in Wuhan was confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus, the Japanese government has been focusing on preventing further spread.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others, Kato Katsunobu, Japan's Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, announced on the 23rd at the National Diet that quarantine for all passengers on flights coming from China to Japan will be strengthened. Minister Kato said, "As the number of patients in China continues to increase, we will urgently strengthen measures to prevent the spread of infection."

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo also stated at the House of Representatives plenary session on the same day regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, "We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of infection," and announced plans to request each airline to encourage passengers who feel unwell on all flights from China to self-report their condition through in-flight announcements.

Narita Airport has strengthened quarantine measures for the Wuhan pneumonia by increasing the number of quarantine officers responsible for direct flights from Wuhan to two. There are 15 direct flights per week between Japan and Wuhan via Narita Airport. Posters in Chinese and English urging passengers to report if they have coughing or fever symptoms have been posted at quarantine stations and airport arrival gates, and passengers are requested to move slowly in front of thermal cameras.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised the risk level for the Wuhan area in Hubei Province to Level 2 in its infectious disease risk information and advised Japanese nationals residing in or planning to stay in China to refrain from traveling to Wuhan. It also urged Japanese people staying in China to obtain the latest information related to Wuhan pneumonia and to make efforts to prevent infection. Those who develop symptoms such as coughing or fever after entering Japan are advised to wear masks and seek medical examination at healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways (ANA) decided to suspend flights connecting Narita Airport and Wuhan on the same day. As the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus Control and Response Emergency Center temporarily closed the airport and other facilities, ANA decided to cancel the flight from Narita to Wuhan at 6:10 p.m. on the 23rd and the flight from Wuhan to Narita at 9 a.m. on the 24th.

JTB, a major Japanese travel agency, decided to suspend its Wuhan travel package named "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" until March this year following the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' recommendation to refrain from traveling to Wuhan. Hubei Province, where Wuhan is located, is known as the battleground of the "Battle of Red Cliffs," a fierce battle in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms where the allied forces of Sun Quan of the Eastern Wu and Liu Bei fought against Cao Cao of the Wei Kingdom.