TOKYO: Japan’s government is considering the resumption of inbound tourism on a restricted foundation from the spring as Tokyo prepares to host a delayed summer season Olympics, the Asahi newspaper reported on Sunday (Dec 6).
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s administration is leaning towards allowing small tour teams from Asian countries the place coronavirus infections are well underneath control, such as China and Taiwan, the Asahi reported without citing sources.
Suga’s government has launched a subsidy program to revive domestic tourism, a key driver of financial growth in recent years, but the scheme has been criticized because Japan is combating the 3rd wave of coronavirus infections.
New cases have spiked to record highs in Tokyo and Osaka. The variety of serious instances nationwide has also risen to a file.
Under the brand new plan, tourists must check negative for the coronavirus and submit an in-depth travel itinerary earlier than getting into, the Asahi stated. They might travel only by hired coach and could be separated from different clients at their lodge and sightseeing locations, it stated.
Tourists would even be required to make use of a tracing app and provide each day updates on their health, the report stated.
A restricted variety of individuals are now allowed to travel to Japan for business but are requested to self-isolate for 14 days.
The Tokyo Summer Olympics was scheduled for this year however was pushed back to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Progress in rolling out coronavirus vaccines has raised hope that international tourism can start to slowly get better from paralyzing travel restrictions put in place to curb the outbreak.
