Vietnam among 10 countries Japan to lift overseas travel alerts

Khanh Minh Tuesday | 09/29/2020 09:58

Quiet scenes at Narita International Airport, one of Asia's largest and busiest airports, on March 26, after travel restrictions were imposed by countries and regions worldwide to help stop the spread

Japanese government said it plans to gradually lift Covid travel alerts from October for Vietnam and other countries that have a low number of new coronavirus infections, Nikkei Asian Review reported.

The government will give priority to 10 countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam. But decisions on whether to accept travelers from Japan will ultimately be up to those governments.

The country has issued Covid-19 related travel advice and warnings on infectious diseases via a system which has four categories depending on the potential risk and safety in relevant locales.

Beginning next month, Japan will lower its warning level to "2" for countries with few infections as a proportion of the total population in the last two weeks. Level 2 advises Japanese nationals to avoid nonessential travel.

Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Brunei, and Belgium will likely be included on the list. A two-week quarantine, however, will be required upon return to Japan.

The government thus aims to lift its warning to prompt those countries and regions to ease their restrictions to resume mutual economic activity.

Meanwhile, Japan also is advancing negotiations with 16 countries and regions including China, Vietnam, and Taiwan to resume business travel. The government easing its travel warning could also aid in reaching agreements in those negotiations.

Starting on Oct. 1, the government will allow the entry of foreigners with permission to stay in the country for more than three months. The easing could also cause other countries to begin accepting travelers from Japan.

Source: Nikkei Asian Review