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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tokyo
10 MINUTE READ
March 26, 2020

Location: Japan

Japan’s Enhanced Screening and Quarantine Measures for Travelers from the United States: The Government of Japan has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Effective March 26, all travelers arriving from the United States, including Japanese citizens, will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days at a designated facility, and to avoid using any public transportation, including taxis, trains, and buses, until after the 14-day period.  Transiting on a domestic flight within Japan is also considered public transportation, so you will not be allowed to fly to your onward destination in Japan until completing the 14-day self-quarantine. The self-quarantine location may be your residence if you live in Japan or a hotel, but the Japanese government reserves the right to “designate” the location of your self-quarantine. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

The Japan National Tourism Organization maintains up to date information on screening and quarantine measures for travelers. They also operate a 24/7 visitor hotline, available in English. To call from Japan: 050-3816-2787; from overseas: +81-50-3816-2787. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also has a 24/7 hotline at +81-3-3595-2176 with English-speaking operators, and has a Q&A on the new measures.

Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancelations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline. At this time, several airlines are maintaining reduced service from Tokyo to certain destinations in the United States. These flights are subject to change or cancelation at any time.

Several local or prefectural governments, including Tokyo, have requested that residents stay home this weekend and refrain from nonessential outings. Some prefectures outside of Tokyo have requested that residents avoid travel to Tokyo, and the Governor of Hyogo has extended a request to avoid unnecessary travel between Hyogo and Osaka. The Governor of Okinawa Prefecture has requested that residents refrain from traveling outside the prefecture as much as possible due to the spread of COVID-19 in metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka. Please check with government officials in your area if you have questions about these requests.

All U.S. Mission Japan facilities remain open and staffed and U.S. Mission Japan personnel are not inhibited at this time by any freedom of movement restrictions/prohibitions.

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

CDC Travel Notice for Japan: On March 21, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Warning (Avoid Nonessential Travel) for COVID-19 in Japan.

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