Japan Now Allows Shorter Quarantine for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

Japan is making things easy for more travellers starting 1 Oct 2021. According to the Japanese government, the country will ease quarantine measures for fully vaccinated travellers. Instead of 14 days, the quarantine period will be shortened to 10 days. Travellers must take a PCR test on the 10th day and will be able to move freely once the test comes back negative. At this point in time, the rule applies to citizens, residents, plus people in very specific circumstances.

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However, Japan has heightened quarantine measures for travellers from nine countries who will still need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They need to fulfil six of the 14 days in a government-designated facility. This is in spite of being fully vaccinated. 

These countries are Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, the Philippines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Japan will also ask travellers to present proof of inoculation. The country recognises the following vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. These are also the only vaccines administered to Japanese locals. A vaccine passport is required, either issued in or recognised by Japan. 

Image credit: JJ Ying

In a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that the easing of quarantine measures is the first in a series of steps in “a review of border measures.” According to him, “Going forward, we will consider allowing entry depending on the COVID-19 situation abroad, while taking steps including restrictions on movement and testing.”

Also read: Malaysia Plans to Reopen Borders for Travel by December 2021

That said, Japan’s tourism reopening will most likely depend on how other countries perform in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their own borders. So, if you want to see Japan again soon, go get vaccinated but continue observing health protocols even if you’re fully inoculated. No one is safe until everybody is safe!

Featured image credit: Su San Lee | Unsplash