Mar 10 (NHK) - Travelers arriving to Japan from two neighboring countries are now facing stricter controls. The tight restrictions are part of the government's efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus... but they've left some passengers confused.
Flights arriving from China and South Korea can now only land at two airports - one near Tokyo or another in Osaka.
Once they land, the travelers are asked to quarantine themselves at home or in a hotel for two weeks.
Authorities are also requesting they avoid public transit or even taxis.
An American from South Korea said, "I called my friend to pick me up. I would do that if I'm asked not to take public transportation. They suggest me, 'Can you stay home for two weeks?.' And I agreed. So I would have to stay in my home."
But many others were left confused.
Officials from the South Korean consulate later escorted him from the airport.
The measures will remain in place throughout this month.
Japan's top spokesperson says the government is considering expanding the controls to include more countries...namely Italy.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, "We are closely looking into situation in Italy where infections are rapidly increasing."
Meanwhile...the number of confirmed cases in Japan has reached 500.
The tally does not include some 700 people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship...or about a dozen who returned on chartered flights from China.
Sixteen people have died so far.
The hardest-hit area is the northern prefecture of Hokkaido where more than 100 infections have been confirmed.
Dozens of cases have also been reported in other major prefectures such as Aichi, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Health officials say over 300 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.
