Japan, Thailand step up Covid curbs on Chinese visitors, as other nations also impose tests
- Japan further tightened border controls for travellers from mainland China on Sunday requiring proof of a negative Covid test amid a surge of cases there
- Thailand, bracing for a wave of Chinese tourists, will reintroduce entry requirements for foreigners arriving by aeroplane
Countries around the world, including Japan and Thailand, are stepping up measures to shield their populations from the Covid-19 outbreak in China that comes as a more transmissible variant of the virus boosts infections globally.
Japan further tightened border controls for travellers from mainland China on Sunday, requiring proof of testing negative for Covid-19 amid a surge of cases in the neighbouring country.
The restrictions, which require the test be taken within 72 hours before 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 Macau.
All travellers 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.
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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.