The Japanese foreign minister said travel from Japan to Vietnam will be resumed this week, marking the first step in easing restrictions between the two countries.
Flights between the two countries will be allowed to re-operate from June 25-27, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference today in Tokyo. Charter flights carrying about 440 businessmen are scheduled to take place over the above three days. Vietnam also agreed to accept visitors from Japan provided they adhere to measures to enhance epidemic prevention.
Haneda Airport Terminal 2 in Tokyo was absent in March due to Covid-19. Photo: Asahi Shimbun
The Japanese government is considering various measures to loosen the travel ban previously imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The country currently imposes an entry ban on visitors from more than 100 countries and regions.
On June 19, Mr. Motegi said that Japan and Vietnam had agreed to “partially and gradually” loosen travel restrictions and that flights between the two countries will soon be resumed.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, after Vietnam and Japan basically controlled Covid-19, the two sides agreed to gradually restore travel activities and strengthen bilateral relations in the spirit of ensuring epidemic prevention, do not let the virus spread.
In mid-April, Japan was in danger of breaking the match due to Covid-19, when nearly 9,800 people were infected with nCoV, 190 people died. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had to declare a national emergency. By the end of May, the emergency was lifted. Japan currently records more than 17,900 nCoV infections, including 953 deaths.
Viet Nam has gone through 68 days of no public infection, with a total of 349 nCoV cases, of which 328 have recovered.
Within the framework of the extensive strategic partnership, Vietnam and Japan have had many cooperation to deal with the epidemic. Japan supported Vietnam with nearly $ 2 million in dealing with Covid-19, while Hanoi gave Tokyo medical supplies, including masks. The two sides also coordinate to bring back Vietnamese citizens to avoid the epidemic.