Japan Confirms New Covid-19 Strain; Halts Foreign Tourist Entry
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28 December 2020 13:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan has put a temporary ban on foreign nationals' entry after the government confirmed the existence of new strain of Covid-19. The new coronavirus variant is similar to the one spreading in Britain, and was found among people returning from the UK.
The entry ban is effective starting today, December 28, and will apply until January.
Japanese nationals and foreigners will still be allowed entry if they can provide proof that they tested negative for Covid-19 issued 72 hours prior to the departure. Everyone entering Japan is also mandated to two weeks of quarantine.
Japan reported its first case of the new Covid-19 strain on Christmas Day, found among passengers flying from the UK. The new strain is also found in a man and his family members.
These findings increase Japan's concern over the pandemic as the country recorded a new high of daily infection on Saturday, December 26. Tokyo has reported 949 new confirmed cases.
Japan's Covid-9 cases continue to increase ahead of the year-end holiday, a time when Tokyo residents usually travel.
Also Read: Japan Bans New Entries of Foreigners After Virus Variant Arrives
ANTARA