Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, wearing a face mask amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, attends an upper house committee meeting at the parliament in Tokyo on April 1, 2020. (AFP)
Coronavirus: Japan expands entry ban to more countries, to quarantine visitors
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday the government was expanding a ban on the entry of non-Japanese people to cover 73 countries as policymakers try to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of countries was increased by 49, including the United States, China and South Korea, he said.
Abe also said that everyone entering the country, including Japanese nationals, will be asked to go into a voluntary two-week quarantine. Both measures will be effective from Friday.
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The premier said he has asked airlines to curb the number of international flights.
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