Japan reopens to tourists: What conditions must be met

THE Japan imposed some of the strictest border controls in the world during the pandemic, barring entry to almost all non-residents. As much of the world opens after the COVID lockdowns, Japan is also relaxing its rules.

Foreign tourists visiting Japan will be required to wear butskes, to have private health insurance and be located under surveillance throughout their stay in the country, as the government announced today.

In this first phase from June 10 will be allowed only guests traveling in organized groups, as the Japan Tourism Organization (JTA) announced, adding that tour guides accompanying visitors should ensure that tourists wear the masks their.

“Tourist guides should often remind those involved in the journey of the necessary measures to prevent contamination, including the use and removal of a mask, at every stage of the journey. “Even outdoors, mask use should continue in situations where people are close to each other,” JTA said in a statement.

Pilot tours

The government has recently begun to relax the mask instructions for the general public, although its use is widespread. The use of a mask to prevent the spread of germs and protect against pollen was common in Japan before the pandemic broke out. coronavirus reports the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, quoted by Reuters.

Last month, Japan conducted “test tours” of groups of about 50 people, most of whom were travel agents, but one of them tested positive for COVID.

James Zhang, an Australian travel agent who took part in one of these test tours, said the rules were likely to deter some visitors at this time.

“Customers will be OK to wear a mask indoors but wearing it 24 hours a day will be a hassle. “The cost of having a tour guide all the time may discourage customers until later when they have more flexibility,” Zhang told Reuters.

In 2019, Japan welcomed 31.9 million foreign visitors, spending 4.81 trillion. yen ($ 36.28 billion).