Malaysians visiting Japan will no longer be required to do PCR on-arrival test and quarantine beginning June 1. — SASIN TIPCHAI/Pixabay
Malaysians visiting Japan will no longer be required to do on-arrival PCR test and quarantine beginning June 1, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
This follows the recent announcement that Japan will reopen to tourists from 98 countries and regions starting June 10.
"For visitors from countries in the 'blue' list, which includes Malaysia, PCR test on arrival and quarantines will no longer be conducted from June 1 onwards," said the Kuala Lumpur office of JNTO in a statement.
"Overall, the number of entries to Japan will be increased from 10,000 to 20,000 starting June 1," JNTO KL added.
Travellers arriving from countries or regions on the blue list, such as Malaysia, will be able to bypass quarantine as long as they pass a pre-departure PCR test, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.
The reopening of Japan is set to resume inbound tourism to the country for the first time in over two years. Travellers, however will only be allowed in with tour groups.
Last week, Japan revised border controls to resume accepting package tours from 98 countries and regions.
These include countries such as Britain, the United States, France, Spain, Canada and Malaysia.
JNTO president Satoshi Seino said the reopening of the country's borders is the "first step toward the recovery of inbound tourism to Japan".
"JNTO is working with local governments and DMOs (destination management offices) in Japan, as well as domestic and foreign travel agencies, airlines, and other organizations, to prepare for the resumption of inbound travel," he said.
Seino added that the agency will step up our efforts to release information on tourism.
"We plan to roll out promotions in consideration of Japan’s policy on accepting inbound tourists to Japan," he said.
