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All arrivals to Japan to be quarantined for 2 weeks

"Explosive increases in infections are being seen mainly in the United States and European countries. We'll strengthen our border control further," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday. (AFP)
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01 Apr 2020 06:04:12 GMT9
01 Apr 2020 06:04:12 GMT9

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday that the government will ask all arrivals to Japan from the rest of the world, including Japanese nationals, to be quarantined for two weeks.

During the period, all these people will be required to stay at designated facilities and refrain from using public transportation, Abe told a meeting of the government's coronavirus response headquarters.

"Explosive increases in infections are being seen mainly in the United States and European countries. We'll strengthen our border control further," he said.

The measure will be implemented from midnight Thursday (3 p.m. GMT) until the end of April. The period may be extended if necessary.

The government will lease hotels near airports and take other steps to secure more facilities to accommodate those requiring quarantines.

Abe also said the government plans to curb the number of international flights arriving in Japan to ease burdens on quarantine workers at airports.

The headquarters also decided to make 48 countries and one region, including the United States and nations in Europe, Asia and Latin America, newly subject to an entry ban, extending the measure to cover 72 countries and one region globally.

Those who stayed in any of the newly added 49 economies in the past two weeks will be banned from entering Japan under the immigration control law. This measure will be effective for the time being from midnight Thursday.

At the meeting, participants also discussed whether to reopen closed schools after the regular spring break ends early this month.

Ahead of the meeting, an expert panel proposed that the government make such decisions region by region by classifying the country into three--areas where infections are seen expanding, infections have been confirmed, and no infections have been reported.

In areas where infection expansion is likely, across-the-board school closures would remain an option, the panel also said.

With this in mind, Abe said the government will continue to provide assistance to parents who have to take time off work because of school closures.

Abe referred to the panel's recommendation that the public stay away from bars, nightclubs, karaoke places and live music clubs. On this, he also asked for cooperation.

JIJI Press

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