Japan to open to tourists after two years but only with masks, insurance, guides

Guests, carrying masks following the outbreak of the coronavirus illness (COVID-19), discover the wood torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

TOKYO, June 7 (Reuters) – International vacationers visiting Japan will likely be required to put on masks, take out personal medical insurance coverage and be chaperoned all through their keep, the federal government mentioned on Tuesday, because it plans a gradual opening from two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

Solely guests on package deal excursions will likely be allowed in throughout the first section of reopening, from June 10, the Japan Tourism Company (JTA) mentioned, including that journey company guides accompanying guests should guarantee they put on their masks.

“Tour guides ought to often remind tour members of crucial an infection prevention measures, together with carrying and eradicating masks, at every stage of the tour,” the JTA mentioned in its pointers.

“Even outside, the carrying of masks ought to proceed in conditions the place persons are conversing in shut proximity.”

Japan has imposed a number of the strictest border controls on the planet over the course of the pandemic, banning the entry of just about all non-residents.

As many of the remainder of the world opens up from COVID lockdowns, Japan can be stress-free its guidelines. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to deliver border measures into line with different rich nations. read more

The federal government has not too long ago begun stress-free masks steering for most people though the coverings are ubiquitous. Carrying masks to forestall the unfold of germs and fend off pollen was frequent in Japan earlier than the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan performed “check excursions” of teams of about 50 folks final month, most of them journey brokers, however one of many members examined optimistic for COVID.

James Jang, a journey agent from Australia who took half in one of many check excursions, mentioned the principles would seemingly put some folks off for now.

“Shoppers will likely be OK with carrying a masks indoors however carrying them 24 hours is a problem,” Jang informed Reuters.

“The price of having a information always could deter purchasers till later after they have extra flexibility.”

In 2019, Japan hosted 31.9 million international guests, who spent 4.81 trillion yen ($36.28 billion).

($1 = 132.5700 yen)

Reporting by Maki Shiraki and Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Enhancing by Robert Birsel

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.