TOKYO: Japan has confirmed the first domestic cases of the new variant of the novel coronavirus that has been spreading in Britain, the health ministry said Friday.
Five people tested positive for the highly contagious new variant through airport screening when they arrived in Japan on direct flights from Britain between Dec 18 and Monday, Jiji Press quoting the ministry as saying.
The man in his 60s has complained of fatigue while the four others are asymptomatic, the ministry said.
It did not reveal the nationalities of the five people. The man in his 60s is apparently a resident of Tokyo and the three people who arrived at Kansai airport are believed to be residents of Osaka.
The five people are staying at accommodations, health minister Norihisa Tamura said at a press conference. It is unthinkable that they had contact with other people in Japan because their infections were discovered at airports, he said.
The new variant is up to 70% more contagious than the original virus, according to the World Health Organisation.
The variant has also been confirmed in South Africa. Japan will strengthen entry restrictions on travellers from Britain and South Africa starting on Saturday.
Such travellers will be required to stay at accommodations for three days after arrival.
They will undergo coronavirus testing on the fourth day and be subject to 14-day quarantine even if they test negative. New reservations for flights from Britain will be suspended for a week.
The coronavirus variant has also been confirmed in Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Hong Kong.
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