Japan looks to waive airport COVID tests for vaccinated travelers

May 12, 2022 | News On Japan

Government to secure testing capacity after entry cap is lifted to 20,000 per day

May 12, 2022 (Nikkei) - The Japanese government is considering exempting certain inbound travelers from the COVID-19 test now required at ports of entry, starting as early as June, Nikkei has learned.

The plans under consideration include exempting those who have received a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine or tested negative in pre-departure testing. The infection rate in the country of origin will also be taken into account. Currently, all travelers arriving in Japan must undergo COVID-19 tests.

"As for measures at borders from June, we're reassessing our testing rules and quarantine requests," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference Wednesday. "We'll make appropriate decisions based on the situation at home and abroad and control measures taken by other countries," he said.

The government will make a final decision based on Japan's infection trends following the Golden Week holiday, which ended Sunday.

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