TOKYO — Japan will ban entry from all countries to prevent the spread of the more contagious U.K. strain of the coronavirus, the government announced Saturday.

The ban takes effect Monday and continues through the end of January. Japanese nationals and foreigners living in Japan will be permitted to return to the country. A 14-day quarantine request will apply to all without exception.

Japan currently bans entry from 152 nations, but since October, it has allowed in foreign students or business professionals planning long-term stays. Now the issuance of those visas will be suspended, but those who have already acquired visas can enter even after Monday.

Since October, Japan has allowed entry by foreigners staying for at least three months on condition that they quarantine for 14 days. Following the emergence of the new strain, the government dropped the UK from the list on Thursday, followed by South Africa on Saturday. Now the issuance of long-term visas will be suspended for all nationals.

A 14-day quarantine will still apply to all Japanese returning from abroad. Besides the UK and Japan, the new strain has been detected in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Germany as of Saturday. The variant is said to be 70% more contagious than the original strain, but medical experts do not believe it makes people sicker or is more resistant to existing vaccines. (Bangkok Post)