\n \n \n “. concat(self. i18n. t(‘search. voice. recognition_retry’), “\n
Japan will require showing a negative Covid-19 result to enter the country for more travelers as it faces pressure from the tourism industry and businesses to lift some of the strictest pandemic border restrictions left in the world.
The rest of the covid testing regulations will come into effect on September 7, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday. The prime minister made the announcement via a video link from his official residence, where he isolates himself as he recovers from a mild case of Covid after testing positive over the weekend.
According to Kishida, a resolution will soon be made on whether to build the access point of the existing 20,000. The media, which added Kyodo News, reported this week that the government planned to raise the point to 50,000.
Japan has banned foreign tourists for about two years to curb the spread of the virus. Although it has eased some of the restrictions, it is still one of the slowest in the evolved world to open up again. Current restrictions are stricter than in places like Australia, Singapore and the UK, which impose few or no access measures and are starting to revive their beleaguered tourism industries.
Although the testing requirement is relaxed, the challenge of access visas remains. Lately, the Japanese border is only open to other people of Japanese nationality, as well as long-term and pre-issued tourist visas, and has ended its visa exemptions for passports. applicable the pandemic.
Koji Shibata, chief executive of ANA Holdings Inc. , praised the easing as “good news” that will allow other people to travel abroad with peace of mind. point like other Countries of the Group of Seven.
The Kishida government began allowing a limited number of returns starting in June, subject to strict regulations, such as being part of a guided tour package. His government has maintained a daily foreign arrivals limit of 20,000, a far cry from the record 31. 9 million. foreign visitors in 2019.
Airlines, hotels and shops are eager to regain the business they lost. The small number of foreigners allowed to enter Japan last year spent 120 billion yen ($877 million). In 2019, they spent 4. 8 trillion yen, 40 times more, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.
Travelers must present negative PCR test results within 72 hours prior to departure to Japan.
(Updates with comments from the airline).
More stories like this are found in bloomberg. com
©2022 Bloomberg L. P.