Travel from Japan to Vietnam will partially resume this week, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday, marking the first step in easing travel restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Several chartered flights carrying about 440 businesspeople are scheduled from Thursday through Saturday, with Vietnam agreeing to accept travelers on condition they agree to enhanced preventive measures, Motegi said at a press conference.
Related: Japan mulls easing entry ban on Vietnam and 3 other countries
Motegi said last Friday that Japan and Vietnam had agreed to ease travel restrictions “partially and gradually” and that it “won’t take long” before travel between the two countries resumes.
Japan currently has an entry ban in place for more than 100 countries and regions, with foreign travelers that have been to any of the areas within 14 days of their arrival being turned away. Kyodo News reported.
Vietnam has banned entry of foreign nationals and suspended international flights since late March.
It is considering resuming international flights to certain Asian destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, Guangzhou, Taiwan, and Laos.
Vietnam has recorded 349 Covid-19 cases so far, with only 21 still active and no fatalities.