Japan Ends Mandatory Testing for Arrivals from China... Allows Increase in Flights

The Japanese government plans to ease COVID-19 quarantine measures for arrivals from China starting next month, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 27th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the report, the Japanese government intends to change the current policy of testing all arrivals from China for COVID-19 to randomly testing up to 20% of them.

However, a negative COVID-19 test certificate taken within 72 hours before departure will still be required.

The Japanese government has been conducting tests on all travelers who have stayed in mainland China within seven days prior to entry, including those arriving via other countries, as well as arrivals from Macau. But starting from the 1st of next month, these tests will no longer be conducted.

Additionally, the restriction limiting Chinese passenger flights to only Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, and Chubu Airport will be lifted, and an increase in flights will be permitted.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, since late last month, the COVID-19 positive rate among arrivals from China has been below 1%, and no new variants have been detected.

Japan announced that it would conduct COVID-19 tests on all arrivals from China the day after China shifted its policy on December 26 last year to end its "zero COVID" approach. On the 8th of last month, Japan made it mandatory to submit a negative test certificate.

In response, China temporarily suspended the issuance of ordinary visas to Japanese citizens on the 10th of last month but resumed issuing them on the 29th of the same month.

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