TOKYO: Japan’s transport ministry has asked all airlines operating flights to Japan not to accept new reservations for such flights at least until the end of December, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

Following the ministry’s request, All Nippon Airways, an ANA Holdings Inc. unit, and Japan Airlines on Wednesday stopped taking reservations for inbound flights.

Japanese people living abroad who have not booked flights to Japan yet may not be able to return home for the year-end and New Year holidays.

On Tuesday, Japan imposed a ban on new entries of foreigners arriving from anywhere in the world as an emergency precautionary measure against the omicron variant, which is spreading globally.

The request to halt new reservations for inbound flights is aimed at further tightening border controls.

According to ANA and JAL, the number of people booking flights to return to Japan in December was increasing.

The major Japanese airlines plan to allow those who have already completed reservation procedures to take their flights to Japan.

At the moment, the airlines plan not to accept new reservations until the end of December, but they may review their plans before the month’s end, depending on the infection situation.

JIJI Press