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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025