Japan's Strict Entry Quarantine Procedures at Narita Airport

Travellers arriving in Japan through Narita Airport have experienced a strict entry quarantine process since October. The process requires travellers to fill out paperwork and have their temperatures taken, as well as other health checks. This has caused some frustration among passengers, who feel that the process is overly stringent and could be streamlined. The procedure involves multiple staff members standing several metres away from the plane, each with a stack of papers for passengers to fill out. Many passengers feel that having two or three people in a room to create QR codes would be sufficient, while Singapore only requires one person for the same task. In contrast, Japan has around 20 people stationed at the airport for this purpose. Passengers are also required to stand in line for long periods of time before being allowed into the country. Some travellers have reported waiting up to an hour just to get through customs and immigration, with no seating available during this time. This can be especially difficult for elderly or disabled travellers who may not be able to stand comfortably for such extended periods of time. The Japanese government has stated that these measures are necessary in order to ensure public safety during the ongoing pandemic situation. However, many believe that there should be more efficient ways of carrying out these procedures without compromising on safety standards or inconveniencing travellers unnecessarily.