Japan to require COVID-19 test on arrival for travelers from mainland China from Dec 30, 2022

Alarm in Japan as record Covid-19 case numbers continue to rise

South Korean expert fears the country’s ‘third wave’ of coronavirus could be the worst yet

The number of confirmed Covid-19 circumstances in Japan reached a report excessive for the third straight day on Saturday, with 2,418 infections confirmed.

Japan, with fewer than 2,000 deaths associated with the coronavirus, has been comparatively profitable at containing the harm from the pandemic with social distancing and the widespread use of masks.

However, worries are rising about one other surge over a three-day weekend. Monday is the Labour Thanksgiving vacation.

An authorities coronavirus panel is an assembly in a while Saturday and should determine to cut back the “GoTo” tourism marketing campaign, which affords reductions for the home journey and to these consuming out.

Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has been aggressive on preserving the economic system going whereas balancing well-being dangers.

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport was packed on Saturday with vacationers. Spots in style for a vacation journey, such because the northernmost most important island of Hokkaido and concrete areas like Tokyo and Osaka, have seen Covid-19 circumstances soar just lately.

Meanwhile, a senior official in South Korea has warned {that a} third wave of the illness may very well be the nation’s largest but if the unfold just isn’t rapidly contained.

‘Essential juncture’

The Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company on Saturday reported 386 new everyday circumstances had been confirmed, bringing whole infections to 30,403, with 503 deaths. New circumstances topped 300 for the fourth day in a row after Tuesday noticed the very best since August.

“We’re at an essential juncture; if we fail to dam the present unfold, we may very well be going through a big nationwide an infection that surpasses” the primary two waves, senior KDCA official Lim Sook-young informed an information briefing. The nation was hit by a soar in circumstances in late February-early March and August.

The usual for imposing more durable social distancing measures were anticipated to be reached quickly, Ms. Lim stated.

The every day nationwide tally was anticipated to achieve 400 new circumstances subsequent week and greater than 600 in early December if the present fee of 1 affected person infecting 1.5 individuals was not curbed, she added.

As a result of current infections spreading amongst school and personal after-school tuition academies, she particularly urged younger individuals to chorus from assembly and to get examined early.

Tightened tips

South Korea tightened prevention tips on Thursday forward of extremely aggressive annual school entrance exams on December third, and prime minister Chung Sye-Kyun known as on Friday for all social gatherings to be canceled. Nevertheless, bars, nightclubs, non-secular providers and sports activities occasions proceed however with attendance restrictions.

South Korea is negotiating to safe Covid-19 vaccines for 30 million individuals or about 60 percent of the inhabitants.

The Seoul metropolitan area recorded 262 new circumstances on Friday, up from 218 circumstances on Thursday.

Wellbeing officers have beforehand stated the capital area, the place about half of the nation’s 52 million individuals reside and work, may very well be topic to more durable restrictions if the typical every day an infection over per week rose to 200 or extra. – Reuters