It seems like the strict rules for international travel to Japan under Covid-19 coronavirus are finally relaxing this month. Starting September 1, all foreign residents can travel in and out of Japan. Following this on September 8, Japan will extend its travel bubble to include five more Asian countries and regions: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Taiwan. These five places will join Thailand and Vietnam in Japan’s expanding travel bubble.
The travel bubble is open to long-term residents and people on short business trips. Anyone coming in under the bubble will have to self-quarantine for 14 days, and although reports haven’t confirmed it, it’s likely travellers will need to submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, too. Residents should also check with their local embassies for additional coronavirus prevention measures. ‘Japan hopes to both prevent the spread of the coronavirus and recover business activities,’ Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said, according to The Japan Times.
Japan is also negotiating with Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Macau, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. Singapore and Japan have agreed to set up a travel bubble in September as well, but haven’t specified a date yet.
Even though the entry restrictions for foreign residents are easing, Japan has also added thirteen more nations to its no-entry list for tourists and other visitors, rounding out the number of banned regions to 159.
For more information on the travel bubble and entry requirements, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
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