Japan to open to tourists after two years but only with masks, insurance, guides

FILE PHOTO: Visitors, wearing masks following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), explore the wooden torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

TOKYO (Reuters) - Foreign tourists visiting Japan will be required to wear masks, take out private medical insurance and be chaperoned throughout their stay, the government said on Tuesday, as it plans a gradual opening from two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

Only visitors on package tours will be allowed in during the first phase of reopening, from June 10, the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) said, adding that travel agency guides accompanying visitors will have to ensure they wear their masks.