Selangor Journal
A notice about Covid-19 safety measures is pictured next to closed doors at a departure hall of Narita International Airport on the first day of closed borders to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, on November 30, 2021. — Picture by REUTERS

Japan to accept J&J Covid-19 vaccine for border entry next month

TOKYO, Feb 24 — Japan said on Thursday international travellers showing proof of a Covid-19 vaccination with the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot would be allowed in and be eligible for a shorter time in quarantine when border controls are eased next month.

The J&J shot, which has not been approved in Japan, will join a list of three other shots that have been approved by regulators as sufficient for non-residents to enter, after a nearly two-year ban on such travellers.

The other approved vaccines on a list that the foreign ministry released on Thursday are the ones developed by Pfizer Inc, Moderna Inc, and Astrazeneca Plc.

Vaccines developed by Chinese and Russian makers are not included.

From March 1, authorities will raise the number of people allowed into Japan to 5,000 a day, from 3,500, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters last week. The easing applies to students, workers, and other visa holders, but not to tourists for the time being.

The quarantine period will be reduced to three days in some conditions, from seven, and it will be waived entirely depending on the traveller’s point of origin, and if they have had a booster shot.

— Reuters

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