The Japanese government is considering exempting Japanese people that are returning home from overseas business trips from two-week quarantine related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, government officials said Wednesday. 

The exemption will also apply to foreigners that hold a resident status in Japan who arrive back to the country from business trips abroad, the officials said.

The government plans to make a decision on the move by the end of October and put it into action soon.

The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is gradually easing the country’s restrictions on entries from other nations and regions as it seeks to balance measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection with efforts to reactivate economic and social activities.

The planned easing of the quarantine rule is intended to reduce the burdens present on Japanese companies and accelerate the reopening of economic activities.

Currently, people returning to Japan from business trips overseas are required to undergo polymerase chain reaction tests for the coronavirus at airports. Those who test negative are allowed to enter the country, but will need to self-isolate at their homes or accommodation facilities for two weeks.

After the relaxation, people who are confirmed negative in PCR tests will not need to self-quarantine on condition that they submit activity plans and do not use public transportation for two weeks.

JIJI Press