Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Japanese government adopted new measures for border enforcement regarding the quarantine rules during the state of emergency, imposing on those enter who enter, re-enter or return to Japan to submit a certificate of pre-entry COVID-19 testing result within 72 hours prior to departure. 

Travelers are also expected to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, until the state of emergency is lifted.

The measures come at the heel of the state of emergency declared on Jan. 8 under the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response.

All Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with the status of residence (except for those who are entering Japan through “Business Track” or “Residence Track”) who are returning to or re-entering Japan from countries/regions not subject to denial of permission to entry, are requested to submit a certificate of pre-entry COVID-19 testing result within 72 hours prior to departure and undergo another test upon arrival.

Countries and regions whose authorities have announced the confirmation of domestic infection of new variant of coronavirus are excluded.

The new rules will have those who cannot submit the certificate of negative pre-entry COVID-19 testing result to stay at specific accommodation facilities designated by the Chief of the Quarantine Station. On the third day of the arrival to Japan, they will take the COVID-19 test again. Those with negative result in this test will be requested to pledge to retain the location data to leave the accommodation facilities designated by the Quarantine Station, and to self-quarantine at home during the remaining period of 14 days after entering Japan. 　

All foreign nationals, who are entering Japan through “Business Track” and “Residence Track” from countries not subject to denial of permission to entry into Japan, must also undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival. Additionally, they are requested to have their hosting company/entity to pledge in “Written Pledge” form.

The quarantine measures were implemented at 00:00 am (JST) on Jan. 9. However, submission of the certificate of pre-entry COVID-19 testing result mentioned above will be requested to those who enter, re-enter, or return to Japan after 00:00 am (JST) on Jan.13.