On September 7, Japan began to increase the daily maximum number of visitors to 50,000, and allowed "unguided tour groups" to enter for sightseeing.
The Japan Tourism Agency updated its guidelines for travel agencies on the 2nd, requiring travel agencies to contact these travelers who are actually free to move at any time.
Under the new guidelines, travel agencies are required to obtain the contact information of travelers so that they can be contacted at any time.
The Tourism Agency does not stipulate how travel agencies must contact passengers. Telephone, email, and SMS are all acceptable methods of contact.
Travel agencies are required to explain these details to travelers and obtain their consent before selling package tours to travelers.
After travelers arrive in Japan, travel agencies are required to contact them and ask them to follow precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, such as wearing masks.
Travel agencies are required to take action when a traveler is unwell or has a positive result on a COVID-19 test.
The picture shows a street scene in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Japan on July 29, 2022.
(Getty)
There is a distance from "freedom"
One of the key points of the Japanese government's relaxation of entry restrictions this time is to allow "unguided tour groups" to enter for sightseeing.
Under the new regulations, passengers can actually move freely, but this is still a distance from the previous "freedom of travel".
Visitors still have to sign up for designated tour groups through travel agencies, but the group may have more freedom.
Upon arrival, passengers must stay at the hotel arranged by the travel agency and return on the scheduled day.
Travelers are also responsible for accidents in Japan.
Japan has not eased visa restrictions, and all travelers, including Hong Kong residents, must apply for a visa before entering Japan.
Travelers must apply for a visa through a travel agency, and it takes time to apply for a visa and cannot travel on an impromptu basis.
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