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As fears over the brand new Covid-19 variant named Omicron proceed to develop, extra international locations are adding travel restrictions. Japan is among the newest to take action, banning all international vacationers from getting into the nation.
This publish will have a look at the brand new journey restrictions in Japan and the way the variant is impacting international journey up to now.
Japan Shuts It’s Borders Over Omicron Concerns
Omicron was first detected in South Africa, prompting many international locations so as to add journey restrictions from that area. However others, like Japan, are outright banning vacationers regardless of easing its border controls earlier this month.
After the information of Omicron got here this weekend, Japan tightened entry restrictions for individuals arriving from South Africa and eight different international locations, requiring any arrivals to do a 10-day quarantine at a government-designated facility in an effort to gradual the unfold of the brand new Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Then at the moment, Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida announced that it’s going to near all international vacationers from Tuesday, stating that they “are responding to the Omicron variant with a strong sense of urgency.”
“We will ban the (new) entry of foreigners from around the world starting from November 30,” said Kishida.
“We are taking the step as an emergency precaution to prevent a worst-case scenario in Japan”
“Research is needed to determine how contagious the omicron variant is globally, and whether vaccines are still effective in preventing transmission or severe symptoms”
The entry ban will not affect Japanese nationals or international residents returning to the nation, however these coming back from designated international locations the place the variant has been discovered might want to isolate at a government-designated facility for 3 to 10 days.
Omicron Has Already Spread To Many Countries Causing More Travel Restrictions
As circumstances proceed to be discovered throughout the globe, journey restrictions are being imposed as soon as once more.
On Saturday, Israel announced that they are going to be banning all foreigners from getting into the nation for at the least 14 days.
Morocco’s international ministry additionally mentioned it will be suspending all incoming air journey from around the globe from Monday for 2 weeks.
The US announced that they may limit incoming journey for eight international locations within the area, however American residents and everlasting US residents will probably be exempt.
Dr. Anthony Fauci instructed NBC he wouldn’t be stunned if the variant is already within the States.
“When you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility… it almost invariably is ultimately going to go essentially all over.”
Canada has detected two circumstances of the virus up to now in Ontario, as have many international locations in Europe together with The Netherlands, France, Italy, Portugal, and Germany. In addition, the UK and Spain have reimposed new restrictions.
WHO Is Calling For Borders To Remain Open
The World Health Organisation has referred to as for frontiers to stay open because the variant has already been detected in lots of international locations and shutting borders typically has restricted results.
In an announcement, the WHO mentioned it “stands with African nations” and famous that journey restrictions might play “a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.”
Others have argued that journey restrictions might present useful time to research the brand new variant, as proper now little is understood about it, together with whether or not it’s extra contagious, extra prone to trigger critical sickness, or extra capable of evade the safety of vaccines.
The WHO did warn that “the likelihood of potential further spread of Omicron at the global level is high. Depending on these characteristics, there could be future surges of COVID‐19, which could have severe consequences.”
Still, Fauci mentioned it should take about two extra weeks to have extra definitive data on the transmissibility, severity, and different traits of Omicron.
Only time will inform the severity of the affect of Omicron on the worldwide journey business, which was simply starting to get better.
Read extra:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
United And Delta Will Continue South African Flights Despite Restrictions
10 Countries To Visit That Do Not Require A Vaccine Passport
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Disclaimer: Current journey guidelines and restrictions can change with out discover. The choice to journey is in the end your duty. Contact your consulate and/or native authorities to substantiate your nationality’s entry and/or any adjustments to journey necessities earlier than touring. Travel Off Path doesn’t endorse touring in opposition to authorities advisories