Japan will further tighten quarantine measures for travelers from China early next week amid a recent surge in recent coronavirus cases in the neighboring country, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.
Kishida said at a press conference, that starting Sunday, visitors from China will need to have tested negative before leaving for Japan and will have to undergo a PCR test upon arrival.
According to the government, individuals entering Japan directly from China, excluding Hong Kong and Macao, will be required to submit a certificate showing a negative result of a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure for the country.
The prime minister added that his country will also continue to request that airlines do not increase the number of direct flights from mainland China, after visiting the Ise Jingu shrine in Mie Prefecture.
Late last week, Tokyo began tightening measures for travelers from mainland China and those who visited the country within seven days, requiring them to take an antigen test for COVID-19 upon arrival.
On her part Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning criticized Japan's move, saying at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday the antivirus steps should be "science-based and proportionate" and should not affect normal personnel exchanges and cooperation.
She also warned against adopting "discriminatory practices" and using virus prevention measures to engage in "political manipulation."
On Tuesday, Mao pointed out that her country plans to take countermeasures after several countries announced COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers inbound from China.
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