Business travel test reservation system planned

Jul 29, 2020 | News On Japan

Jul 29, 2020 (NHK) - Japan is planning a reservation system for business people to get coronavirus tests before they go abroad. This comes as the country prepares to boost international business travel, mainly with other parts of Asia.

The government is in talks with 16 countries and territories about allowing entry to business travelers. These include China, Thailand and Vietnam.

But many places require certificates of negative PCR test results rather than keeping visitors in quarantine for extended periods.

The Japanese government aims to set up the reservation system in late September. Business people should be able to get PCR tests quickly at nearby hospitals.

The trade and industry ministry says that at the moment, only a few hundred people can be tested a day before going abroad on business. PCR testing therefore needs to be significantly expanded. As many medical institutions as possible will be registered in the system.

Testing facilities may also be set up at airports.

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