THE SQUIZ
After more than 2.5 years of some of the world’s toughest COVID-related border restrictions, Japan is fully reopening to international visitors today. Japan closed its border in April 2020 in line with many countries, but unlike many others, its reopening has been slow and incremental. Since June, there has been a limited arrivals cap that allowed tourists on strict guided tours – but that’s finished. While Japan’s border closure has kept coronavirus deaths relatively low, it has hurt their economy. Last month, the government intervened in the currency market for the first time since 1998 after the Yen fell to a 24-year low against the US dollar. Bad news for Japan, but good news for foreign travellers who might find it cheaper than pre-COVID.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Tourists and business travellers no longer need a visa, but they will need a valid international certificate proving they’ve had at least 3 doses of an approved coronavirus vaccine. For context, Australia has been allowing unvaxxed travellers in since July. For Aussies needing a top-up to travel, adults can now get an Omicron-specific booster that protects against the original virus and the nasty subvariant. It’s been available in several countries for a while, and the US is getting even further ahead by preparing a specific vaccine for more Omicron variants.

ARE WE THERE YET?
If you’re asking when the pandemic will be over, there are more signs it’s on the horizon. Ending mandatory isolation for people who test positive for COVID is a big one, and that will cease in Australia from this Friday. But for Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly’s part, the ’emergency phase’ of our response is over, but it “does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished”. And it’s not all about us… China still has tough restrictions on travel both in and out of the country, and millions are still regularly subject to stringent lockdowns as President Xi Jinping continues to pursue a ‘COVID zero’ policy. That has an ongoing impact on global trade and will limit Japan’s bounce-back, with Chinese visitors the largest source of pre-pandemic tourist revenue. Onwards and upwards…