Japan Extends Entry Ban to 7 Countries, Including Thailand

Japan will ban the entry of all foreign travelers who have visited Thailand and six other countries in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the government said on Wednesday.

The government revealed that the measure will be effective from Friday. The six other countries are Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Saint Lucia, East Timor and Mongolia.

This ban brings the number of countries and regions under such restrictions to 159.

Foreign travelers who have been to those areas within 14 days of arrival will not be allowed to enter Japan except under special circumstances. Japanese nationals are not subject to the measure

Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that the state of emergency will be expanded to Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures through the end of May.

Quasi-emergency countermeasures were to be implemented in several cities in Gunma, Ishikawa and Kumamoto prefectures from May 16 until June 13, adding to a growing list of areas under such restrictions.

Meantime, Tokyo confirmed 766 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, down from 969 a week before.