Japan Eases COVID-19 Entry Restrictions for the First Time Against Vietnam

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Japanese government is partially easing entry and exit restrictions related to COVID-19 for Vietnam.

Toshimitsu Motegi (茂木敏充), Japan's Foreign Minister, announced at a press conference on the 23rd that from the 25th of this month, some relaxed measures will be applied to Vietnam, the first country subject to the initial easing of entry and exit restrictions.

About 440 Japanese company personnel, including expatriates and business travelers, will depart for Vietnam using temporary flights between the 25th and 27th under these measures.

With the relaxed measures in place, if travelers meet requirements such as testing negative on a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test upon entry to the country, they will not need to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.

In addition to Vietnam, with which the Japanese government reached its first agreement on phased easing of entry and exit restrictions on the 19th, discussions are underway with the governments of Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand regarding similar easing measures.

Since April, Japan has gradually expanded the list of countries banned from entry to prevent the influx of COVID-19, effectively banning foreign entry from 111 countries (regions), including South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.