Location: Tokyo, Japan
Event: Coronavirus Outbreak – Travel Restrictions, Safety Measures
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan, China and subsequently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
For current information and guidance regarding this disease outbreak, U.S. citizens in Japan are advised to consult the WHO and CDC websites.
U.S. Travel Restrictions and Presidential Proclamation
The U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has declared that the coronavirus presents a Public Health Emergency in the United States. In accordance with the declaration, beginning 5 p.m. EST, February 2, 2020, the U.S. government started implementing temporary measures to increase its abilities to detect and contain the coronavirus proactively and aggressively. These measures include:
- All flights with travelers who have been in mainland China within the last 14 days will arrive at a select number of designated ports of entry.
- Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in Hubei province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine, to ensure they’re provided proper medical care and health screening.
- Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in the rest of mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive entry health screening and self-quarantine to ensure they do not post a public health risk.
- Additionally, the President has signed a Presidential Proclamation using his authority pursuant to Section 212 (f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act suspending the entry into the United States of foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the 2019 novel coronavirus.
- As a result, foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled in China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States.
For additional information, please see the Presidential Proclamation.
Level 4 Travel Advisory for China – Do Not Travel
The United States advises U.S. citizens not to travel to China. If you do travel to China, you will be subject to additional screening and public health measures upon return the United States. The U.S. Department of State will continue to closely monitor the situation in China and will revise our travel advisory as conditions warrant. For additional information, refer to travel.state.gov.
Japanese Government Actions, Cabinet Order, Entry Restrictions
A Government of Japan (GOJ) Cabinet Order designating the novel coronavirus as a Designated Infectious Disease took effect February 1. The law allows local authorities to compulsorily test and quarantine individuals. Under the Order, Japan will impose an entry ban on people infected with the novel coronavirus. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan announced that effective February 1, 2020, foreigners who have travelled to Hubei Province in China within 14 days before arriving in Japan, and foreigners who have a Chinese passport issued by Hubei Province are not permitted to enter Japan. Residents who develop symptoms in Japan are advised to wear a mask and contact a medical institution as soon as possible, and to declare if they have stayed in Wuhan. The Japan National Tourism Organization offers a 24/7 multi-lingual (English, Chinese, Korean) call service that can provide coronavirus-related information and assist in case of emergencies (accident or sickness) at 050-3816-2787.
Other countries are also imposing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The U.S. Embassy advises checking with destination government officials in advance of commencing travel, particularly if you have recently been in China.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date health information.
- Check with the airlines regarding any flight cancellations and/or restrictions on flying. Be aware that airline schedules are changing rapidly.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Seek medical care right away if you feel sick or were exposed to someone who has a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
Stay Connected: Follow U.S. Embassy Tokyo American Citizen Services on Twitter and Facebook.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan.
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
American Citizen Services
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
Tel: 03-3224-5000
After Hours: 03-3224-5000
Fax: 03-3224-5856
The U.S. Embassy serves Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.
Osaka-Kobe
11-5, Nishitenma 2-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543
Tel: 06-6315-5912
Fax: 06-6315-5914
Serving Americans in Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, and Wakayama prefectures.
Nagoya
Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor
1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001
Tel (052) 581-4501
Fax: (052) 581-3190
Providing emergency consular services only (including death and arrest cases) for Americans living in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures.
Fukuoka
5-26, Ohori 2-chome
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052
Tel: 092-751-9331
Fax: 092-725-3772
Serving Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi prefectures.
Sapporo
Kita 1-jo, Nishi 28-chome
Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821
Tel: 011-641-1115
Fax: 011-643-1283
Serving Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.
Naha
2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City
Okinawa 901-2104
Phone: 098.876.4211
Fax: 098.876.4243
Serving Americans in Okinawa and the Amami Oshima Island group