Japan to keep up strict border controls: PM Fumio Kishida
Japan to keep up strict border controls: PM Fumio Kishida
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TOKYO – In response to worries about the Omicron form of Covid-19, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stated that Japan will maintain rigorous border controls "for the time being."

At a press conference following a 16-day extraordinary Diet session, Kishida stated that while the community spread of Omicron has not occurred in Japan, the country needs to step up preventive measures by speeding up booster shot plans and marketing orally delivered Covid-19 medications.

"Scientific analyses have yet to be established regarding how transmissible Omicron is and how terrible the disease (induced by it) would become," said Kishida, who took office in October and made anti-Covid-19 efforts a priority. "For the time being, we have decided to extend the current border control procedures (implemented in late November)," he stated.

Foreigners from other countries are not allowed to re-enter Japan, and returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents must quarantine in government-designated facilities. Those infected with Covid-19 will be checked for the Omicron version in Japan, according to the prime minister.

The country is currently attempting to speed up its vaccination program by distributing third Covid-19 vaccine doses and prioritizing health care workers and senior residents.

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