Japan to add 14 more countries to entry ban, including Russia

Japan is adding 14 more countries – including Russia and Saudi Arabia – to an entry ban to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday.

The measures will take effect on Wednesday, Abe said.

The move adds an additional 14 nations to the ban, bringing the total number of countries and territories covered to 87.

China, the United States and all of Europe are restricted from entering Japan under the measures.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday already warned Japnese citizens against travelling to the 14 countries, lifting its travel alert to the second-highest level.

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Japan had confirmed 14,156 coronavirus cases as of Monday, including 712 on a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo in February, according to broadcaster NHK.

Japan has seen more than 380 deaths from Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. (dpa)