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Saliva tests for people without symptoms approved

Jul 18 (NHK) - Japan's health ministry approved on Friday the use of saliva to conduct PCR tests for people with no coronavirus symptoms.

Last month, the ministry allowed the use of saliva in PCR tests for the coronavirus, in addition to the method of swabbing the nostril. But tests using saliva, which are considered to be easier, were limited to those who had symptoms, like a fever.

The ministry says it did saliva-based PCR tests on people without symptoms, and determined that the results were mostly the same as those obtained using the nose-swabbing method.

Saliva tests for people without symptoms will likely be used at quarantine stations at airports in Japan. Officials hope it will lead to more efficient testing as the number of people traveling to and from the country is expected to increase.

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An Idemitsu Kosan crude oil tanker has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first vessel bound for Japan to do so since attacks on Iran heightened tensions in the region and effectively disrupted maritime traffic.

Japan’s Golden Week holiday period got fully underway on April 29, drawing large crowds to major tourist destinations and airports, where long lines formed as overseas travel surged.

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Full-scale Golden Week travel began on April 29, with Chubu Centrair International Airport experiencing its busiest outbound travel day of the holiday period. The airport was crowded from the morning with vacationers heading overseas.

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