Japan to Ban New Foreign Arrivals Including Korea from Tomorrow to Block Omicron (Comprehensive)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government will, in principle, ban new entries of foreigners from all countries, including South Korea, starting from the 30th.

On the 29th, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stated, "As a measure to prevent the influx of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, we have decided to strengthen entry restrictions," adding, "From the 30th, foreign entry will be banned worldwide."

He added, "This measure is a temporary one until more information about Omicron is revealed."

Additionally, for returning Japanese nationals, strict quarantine measures will be implemented not only for nine countries including South Africa, where the new variant was first discovered, but also for 14 countries and regions where the new variant has been confirmed.

Earlier, as concerns about the influx of Omicron grew, the Japanese government banned foreign entries from nine African countries including South Africa starting from midnight on the 28th, and required Japanese nationals returning from these countries and foreigners re-entering Japan to wait in quarantine-designated facilities for 10 days.

The Japanese government has gone a step further by expanding the ban on new entries to the entire world and significantly strengthening quarantine measures for its nationals, focusing on regions where Omicron infections have been confirmed.

Accordingly, the entry route for foreigners, which had been limitedly allowed for business purposes and international students since the 8th, will be blocked again.

However, the Japanese government plans to continue allowing entry on a limited basis for foreigners with special circumstances.

Those recognized as having special circumstances include spouses of Japanese nationals, diplomats, persons involved in public interest, or those requiring humanitarian consideration.

To block the entry of COVID-19 infected individuals from overseas, the Japanese government had effectively banned foreign entries, but from the 8th, it allowed new entries in principle for short-term business visitors, technical trainees, and international students, provided that the companies or universities accepting them manage their behavior.

Since then, the daily entry cap has been raised from 3,500 to 5,000.

As domestic new COVID-19 cases have significantly decreased recently, voices from various sectors demanding easing of restrictions have grown, leading to a limited relaxation of foreign entry regulations.

However, after the new variant Omicron, whose nature is not yet clearly identified, first appeared in South Africa and showed signs of spreading worldwide, the government has proactively introduced a super-strong quarantine measure to block foreign entries again.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan has designated Omicron as a "variant of concern," the highest level of alert.