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Asia Pacific
Japan bans foreign arrivals over new virus strain
Japan has banned all non-resident foreign nationals as it seeks to contain the new infectious Covid-19 strain.
It takes effect immediately as Indonesia also followed suit by closing borders to all foreign travellers.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the entry ban will last through 31 January 2021.
Japan has already restricted travellers from the UK and South Africa, where more infectious strains of the virus have been detected.
It tightened restrictions after seven people in two days were found to be infected with a new strain of Covid-19.
It includes five who had travelled from the UK.
The re-entry of Japanese nationals is subject to negative Covid test results, and they must self-isolate for a period of two weeks.
Now Indonesia has imposed a blanket ban on all foreign travellers.
It takes effect from 1 January until 14 January 2021.
Travellers from the UK had already been banned.
Like Japan, Indonesians returning home will need negative Covid tests and must quarantine on arrival.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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