Despite the entry ban for travellers from 152 nations and regions, foreign residents in Japan can now travel in and out of the country with relative ease. However, one of the requirements upon arrival back in Japan is that people are asked to avoid taking public transport for their first 14 days in the country – including to get out of the airport. This is to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Private charters are expensive, especially if you’re flying into Narita. With trains and buses out of the question, you’re limited to private cars, which could easily set you back around ¥30,000 if you’re getting from Narita to central Tokyo.
The good news is, the transport and tourism ministry is working on a solution. According to NHK, there could be a direct bus shuttling three times a day between Narita or Haneda airport and 12 selected hotels in Tokyo. The service could potentially start on December 16. Returning Japanese citizens and foreigners with a hotel reservation can use the service.
The Japan Times also reports that the government is also looking into allowing travellers to use the train to leave the airport. However, this could mean that arriving passengers would be segregated into specific train cars and not mixed in with the general public, to minimise the risk of coronavirus spreading.
This is a developing story. We will update the report when more information surfaces.
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