Japan to lift the entry ban on S. Korea, 8 other countries

Japan will lift its entry ban for non-tourist arrivals from South Korea and eight other countries beginning November in a bid to revive its battered economy.

Also to be taken off the entry ban list are Taiwan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Brunei, all having brought their outbreaks under control.

It is the first time Japan lifted its entry ban on any country or region since early February when the coronavirus was first detected.

The lifting of the entry ban was made at the government's coronavirus response task force meeting presided by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Also, Japan will ease the 14-day quarantine period required for its nationals and foreign residents returning from overseas trips starting Sunday.

Suga said the easing of restrictions was aimed at facilitating business activity on a limited scale.

To avail of the exemption, returning travelers will need to get a company or organization that would assume responsibility for taking precautionary measures against spreading the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Myanmar and Jordan will be added to the entry ban, bringing the total number of countries and regions in the list to 152.