Health

Japan bans entry of foreign visitors as Omicron COVID-19 variant spreads

Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads.

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the measure will take effect Tuesday.

The decision means Japan will restore border controls that it eased earlier this month for short-term business visitors, foreign students and workers.

Over the weekend, Japan tightened entry restrictions for people arriving from South Africa and eight other countries, requiring them to undergo a 10-day quarantine period at government-designated facilities.

Many countries have moved to tighten their borders after the new omicron variant of the coronavirus was found in a number of nations.

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