Japan, South Korea Expected to Lower Infectious Disease Risk Levels... "Travel Restrictions to Ease"

Reviewing Plan to Adjust Level 3 to Level 2
12 Countries Including Singapore, Vietnam, and China

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Japan is expected to lower South Korea's infectious disease risk level by one step this month, easing travel restrictions for its citizens.

According to a report by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 7th, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering adjusting the risk level from Level 3, which recommends suspension of travel, to Level 2 for some countries, reflecting the current COVID-19 situation.

The infectious disease risk information provided by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its citizens consists of four levels: Level 1 (exercise sufficient caution), Level 2 (refrain from non-essential travel), Level 3 (recommend suspension of travel), and Level 4 (recommend evacuation). Currently, most countries worldwide are designated as Level 3.

The countries expected to have their levels lowered include South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, totaling 12 countries.

If the infectious disease risk level is adjusted to Level 2, in principle, these countries will be excluded from entry refusal, and travelers from these countries will not be required to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing upon entry.

Nikkei reported that among these countries are some that have restricted Japanese entry, citing Japan's travel suspension recommendations as problematic, and that this level adjustment review also reflects an expectation that the counterpart countries will ease their restrictions.

Earlier in March, Japan had announced restrictions on entry and exit, including denying visa-free entry to Koreans due to COVID-19, to which the South Korean government responded reciprocally based on the principle of reciprocity. Therefore, the 'counterpart country' expected to ease restrictions in response to Japan's measures is presumed to be South Korea.

Meanwhile, Nikkei also reported that Japan is considering exempting its citizens returning from business trips abroad and foreigners with residence status of over three months from the two-week self-quarantine after entry if they meet certain conditions such as a negative PCR test. Currently, the Japanese government enforces a two-week self-quarantine in principle for all returning citizens and business travelers from all countries.