Japan further tightened border controls for travelers from mainland China on Sunday, requiring proof of testing negative for COVID-19 amid a surge of cases in the neighboring country.
The restrictions, which require the test be taken within 72 hours prior to departure, have been implemented to halt the spread of highly transmittable strains of the coronavirus. But they are not mandatory for those flying in from Hong Kong or Macao.
All travelers from mainland China and those who have visited the country within seven days are now required to take a PCR or high-quality antigen test upon arrival in Japan.
Those who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival must quarantine for seven days if they are exhibiting symptoms or five days if they are asymptomatic.
The government will continue to restrict departures and arrivals of direct flights connecting Japan with mainland China to four airports -- Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Chubu.
While all airports in the country will become open to direct flights from Hong Kong and Macao due to a reduction in coronavirus cases in the two cities, airline operators have been requested not to increase the number of flights.
Arrivals from Hong Kong and Macao were previously restricted to the four Japanese airports, as well as New Chitose near Sapporo, Fukuoka and Naha airports, provided that none of the passengers had visited mainland China in the past seven days.
Starting in December, China began significantly easing its strict antivirus measures, including no longer restricting outings, and also stopped counting the exact number of patients.
On Sunday, China reopened borders and abandoned quarantine measures, fully departing from its strict "zero-COVID" policy that involved lockdowns and isolation measures at designated facilities.
Japan greatly relaxed its border restrictions in October, allowing travelers to skip COVID-19 testing upon arrival provided they show proof of having undergone at least three vaccinations or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure.
Other countries worldwide have also stepped up border controls for travelers from China.
