Japan to halt all new entries from abroad until January end to stop spread of new coronavirus strain

After
reporting its first cases of a new and more
infectious coronavirus variant that recently emerged in in the United Kingdom,
Japan announced on Saturday that it will halt all new entries from abroad from Monday until late January, AFP
reported.

The
country is already restricting entry for foreigners from most countries over
fears of the virus and all visitors are required to undergo mandatory
quarantine upon arrival.

Now, Japan has announced that all travellers arriving from countries where the new coronavirus strain has been
reported must undergo test twice. Once within 72 hours ahead of their departure
for Japan and again upon arrival at Japanese airports. Local reports stated
that this was aimed at stop the
spread of a new Covid-19 variant.

Also Read: Spain confirms first cases of ‘more transmissible’ UK coronavirus variant

 Foreign visitors with visas will be allowed to
enter, with the exception of those who had visited the UK or South Africa —
two of the countries where the strain has been detected — within two weeks of
applying for their entry permit.

This announcement
comes a day after the country announced that five people who came from the
United Kingdom had been found to be infected with the new coronavirus strain.