Japan is closed to visitors.
In order to slow the spread of the new highly infectious coronavirus mutation first detected in the United Kingdom, Japan said it is temporarily banning the entry of people who do not live there.
The ban will go into effect on Monday and will last until January, Reuters reported.
Japanese citizens and foreign residents will need proof of a negative coronavirus test 72 hours before traveling before they are allowed to return. Travelers should be quarantined for two weeks after arrival, the government said.
Japan found five cases of the fast-spreading variant in passengers arriving from Britain. It was also detected in a man who visited the UK and a family member – the first cases of infected people found outside airport checks – informed Nippon TV on Saturday.
Several countries have banned or restricted travel to and from the United Kingdom, as the rapidly spreading strain of the virus spreads to the local population.
Tokyo registered 949 new cases on Saturday, a new record for the Japanese capital, as the country struggles with an outbreak that is spreading across the country. Japan now has nearly 4,000 cases across the country, according to the Associated Press.
Japan has not been able to slow infections, despite government requests for people to avoid going out to dinner and parties during the holiday season.