Photo/Illutration Travelers arriving from China provide saliva samples at booths set up at Narita Airport on Dec. 30. Since then, Japanese health authorities have tightened border controls to keep the novel coronavirus at bay. (Hiroyuki Kamisawa)

Travelers arriving from China endured long lines at Narita Airport on Jan. 8 after Japan tightened its border control in response to an explosion of COVID-19 cases in the neighboring country.

Japan now requires a quantitative antigen or PCR test for entrants from China, in addition to proof of negative testing issued within 72 hours of departure for Japan.

On Jan. 8, hordes of travelers who arrived from Shanghai and elsewhere in China faced long waits to provide saliva samples in the testing area. After the procedure, they were asked to present proof of a negative test result for COVID-19.

One of the entrants, a Chinese woman who lives in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward with her American husband and their daughter, looked downcast as she gazed at the long line for testing after arriving on a direct flight from Hangzhou, southern China.

The family flew to China on Dec. 16 to spend the holidays with her parents. At that time China imposed quarantine checks for incoming travelers. Now, Japan is reviving more rigid COVID-19 protocols for travelers from China.

“I have taken precautions against the virus, including wearing a mask,” the woman said. “This is very very annoying.”

Hideaki Kono, a company employee who on Jan. 8 flew from Shanghai, where he now works, was not put out by Japan’s decision to strengthen its border control.

“I contracted the virus late last month and have no idea where I got it,” said Kono, who was returning to Japan temporarily to spend time with his family in Machida on the outskirts of Tokyo. “It is important to enforce strict steps against COVID-19 at airports as I do not want to see outbreaks in Japan.”

Related News