The Japanese government has decided to completely ban foreigners from India, Nepal, and Pakistan from entering the country, including long-term visa holders, from India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

The decision came due to the worsening situation with the spread of the new coronavirus in the region, the Kyodo agency reported, citing sources.

NHK TV channel earlier on Wednesday informed about the intention of the Japanese government to introduce such a ban. 

According to the TV channel, we are talking about foreigners who have visited one of these countries within two weeks before leaving for Japan. The corresponding decision may come into force on May 14. Meanwhile, earlier, during testing in quarantine facilities at Japanese airports, infection with the Indian strain of coronavirus was detected in 66 people, TASS reports.

On May 7, Japanese authorities tightened the rules for entry from India, Nepal, and Pakistan, obliging arrivals to stay in specialized quarantine facilities for six days, in addition to the mandatory two-week period of self-isolation. Currently, Japanese authorities are quarantining travelers from 35 countries and regions for three days, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Germany. They are also subject to the general requirement of a two-week quarantine.