Japan has decided to restrict arrivals from China or those who have been in China in the previous 7 days, effective December 30, 2022.
There will be an on-arrival PCR-RT test and week-long quarantine if the passenger tests positive. Japan will also restrict flights from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to four airports of Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu.
China is experiencing its first countrywide covid spike, as internal restrictions were removed earlier this month. The country announced yesterday that it would no longer quarantine those entering China from January 8, 2023 (read more here).
Excerpt from Japan Times:
The quarantine period for those who test positive is expected to be seven days if they have developed symptoms. For those who are asymptomatic, the period will be shortened to five days if they test negative on the fifth day, according to the health ministry.
“It is difficult to grasp the situation in China because the information on infections differs between the central and regional governments, as well as between the government and the private sector,” Kishida said. “People in Japan are getting worried because of that.”
Conclusion
It wouldn’t surprise me if other countries required tests and quarantines from those arriving or having been in China in the past few days, as there is a vast number of covid-cases in the Mainland right now.
I am probably going to Japan in a couple of weeks, but I need to scrap Cathay Pacific flight options off my list (there were some availability when I checked the other day), as I would rather not have an on-arrival nose cleaning and potentially seven-day quarantine at a government-run facility if the test comes back as positive.
