Effective immediately, Japan has banned all non-resident foreign nationals as it seeks to contain the new infectious Covid-19 strain. Taking no chances, Indonesia has also closed its borders to all foreign travellers. It tightened restrictions after seven people in two days were found to be infected with the new strain.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the entry ban will last through 31 January 2021. The Indonesian ban takes effect from 1 January until 14 January 2021.

Like Japan, Indonesians returning home will need negative Covid tests and must quarantine on arrival.

Japan has strict rules already in place. Travellers from the UK and South Africa, where more infectious strains of the virus have been detected, are prohibited from entering the country.

It includes five who had travelled from the UK.

The re-entry of Japanese nationals is subject to negative Covid test results, and they must self-isolate for a period of two weeks.