TOKYO – The Japanese government began imposing stricter requirements on its citizens and foreign residents returning to Japan from the Philippines on Monday due to concerns over the community spread of new COVID-19 variants in the Southeast Asian nation.
Returnees from the Philippines, which has been designated by the Foreign Ministry as one of the "countries / regions where new coronavirus mutant strains are endemic” on March 26, will be asked to wait at a designated facility after arrival at the airport for another COVID-19 test on the third day after arriving in Japan.
Those who have negative result will be allowed to leave the designated facility, but are still required to refrain from using public transportation, and to self-quarantine at home for the remaining 14 days after entering the country.
They must also submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure for Japan and take a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
The Philippines, along with Ukraine, joins Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates on the "strengthened quarantine measures" list. - Florenda Corpuz
