Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tokyo (April 1, 2020)

Effective on April 3, 2020, Japan will bar admission to travelers who have recently visited any country that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has designated “Level 3” for infectious disease concerns, which includes the United States. Travelers from the United States are not permitted to enter Japan and should not board flights. For details and exemptions, please refer to the Japan National Tourism Organization’s website.

At this time, Japanese authorities advise that passengers transiting in Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda airports without clearing immigration will still be allowed to proceed to their onward destination. Passengers will not be permitted to transit between airports or from an international flight to a domestic flight.

U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while limited commercial flights are still available. Due to a reduction in customer demand, commercial aviation route networks between the United States continue to diminish. Travelers currently in Japan seeking return fights to the United States should immediately consult with their air carrier(s) regarding possible flight rescheduling and/or cancellations.

The Japan National Tourism Organization maintains up-to-date information on screening and quarantine measures for travelers. They also operate a 24/7 visitor hotline, available in English. To call from Japan: 050-3816-2787; from overseas: +81-50-3816-2787. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also has a 24/7 hotline at +81-3-3595-2176 with English-speaking operators, and has a Q&A on the new measures. Residents of Tokyo, should check the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website for information in English on COVID-19.

The U.S. Embassy issued a letter regarding COVID-19 to U.S. citizen English teachers and advisors in Japan, which can be found here.

All U.S. Mission Japan facilities remain open and staffed and U.S. Mission Japan personnel are following United States and Japanese government recommendations regarding social distancing and minimizing non-essential travel.

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

CDC Travel Notice for Japan: On March 21, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Warning (Avoid Nonessential Travel) for COVID-19 in Japan.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Japan.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Visit the Department of State’s Japan Country Information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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