Japan eases travel restrictions for Pakistan

Tokyo:  Amid the constantly changing pandemic situation and falling coronavirus cases in some parts of the world as inoculation campaigns pick up steam, Japan on Thursday relaxed its strict quarantine measures for several countries including Pakistan.

According to Japanese media reports, as the situation is improving in Pakistan, Britain, Malaysia and Moscow, the mandatory quarantine period in government-picked facilities for those countries is set to be shortened to three days from the current six.

The COVID-19 tests will be done on arrival and on the third day. With the change, Japan will also lift the entry ban on foreign nationals arriving from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, following the latest revision, travelers from India, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Zambia will no longer be covered by a 10-day mandatory quarantine in government-designated facilities. Their stay in such facilities will be shortened to six days, and there is a requirement to undergo tests for COVID-19 on arrival and on the third and sixth days. Only those who test negative will be allowed to move to facilities of their choosing or return home for the remainder of the 14-day self-isolation period.

However, despite the change, an entry ban will remain in place for foreign nationals, including residents of Japan, coming from India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Exceptions will be given to those seeking entry under special circumstances, such as those who are spouses of Japanese citizens.

However, not all countries and regions will see quarantine measures eased. Due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, Japan will require people coming from countries such as France, Israel and Lebanon to once again spend the first three days of their stay in Japan in government-picked hotels. The three countries were previously covered by the same measures, which were later eased when the situation temporarily improved.