ER
THE JAPANESE government has asked all international airlines to stop accepting new reservations for all flight routes arriving in Japan until the end of 2021.
The decision was taken in anticipation of the entry of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant. Japan has also announced that it will close its entrances to all visitors from all countries.
Responding to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant, the Japanese Ministry of Transport said that it would tighten restrictions as a control over this variant.
The move follows Japan’s confirmation of a second case of the Omicron variant in a person arriving from Peru, a day after Japan reported its first case from a Namibian diplomat.
The second patient was fully vaccinated and tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Japan. Although initially asymptomatic, the patient eventually developed a fever and sore throat. As for the remaining 114 passengers on the flight, they tested negative and are being monitored by health authorities.
As an emergency precaution against the new variant, starting Tuesday (12/07), Japan will ban all foreign visits. The ban is expected to continue until the end of December 2021.
According to AP News, Narita International Airport Corp., which operates Japan’s main international airport, said it was not aware of any immediate changes in flight arrivals in response to the announcement.
Different responses came from people who had planned their vacations, including Japanese nationals living overseas. They were disappointed that they could not return home for the New Year. Many people on social media criticized the government’s move as too much. [sources/photo special]
