2020-03-23

Japan to Impose 14 Day Quarantine on Travelers from U.S.

News

The Japanese government has decided to ask visitors from the United States to self-quarantine inside their homes or hotels for 14 days upon arrival to Japan. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also announced that a new Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Headquarters will open in Japan on March 23rd. In the United States, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has exceeded 20,000, and the number of infections is rapidly increasing. The United States has also decided to request travelers returning from Japan to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Coronavirus Cases and Deaths by Prefecture

The Japanese government's restrictions are not only for U.S. citizens but also for Japanese and other travelers who have recently traveled to the United States. In addition to the 14-day self-quarantine, they are urged to refrain from using public transportation to arrive at their hotels or homes. These new policies are expected to last until the end of April. Similar regulations for those coming to Japan from China, South Korea, U.K., France, Germany, Egypt, and Iran have been put into place.

Coronavirus: Japan Travel Restrictions

According to the Japan Tourism Board, the number of visitors from the United States last year was 1.72 million, second only to neighboring China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It is estimated that Japan's tourism industry, as well as economic activity between Japan and the United States, may be negatively affected by these new measures. However, Japan will continue to step up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the United States has aggressively increased its measures, including warning all citizens to return home from overseas and to refrain from traveling abroad under any circumstances. Japan, which is planning to host the Olympic Games this summer, has not shown any signs of postponing or canceling the event as of yet.