Japan is set to expand its travel ban on foreign residents arriving from Bangladesh and the Maldives, where a so-called double-mutant virus, known as B.1.617, is feared to be rampant.
Starting Thursday, the government will bar entry to all foreign nationals who were in Bangladesh or the Maldives in the preceding 14 days, including people with a valid residence status, the government said Tuesday. Foreign residents who have left before the latest entry ban is in place will be able to return even after Thursday.
The government imposed the same measures last week on travelers from India, Pakistan and Nepal in response to an explosive growth in coronavirus infections in the region. Foreign nationals will be granted permission to enter Japan only in emergencies or due to exceptional circumstances.