Japan to let hotels deny service to suspected COVID cases

Guests who shun infection controls also risk rejection under health ministry plan

20220714N Japan hotel reception temp check

A hotel worker checks the body temperature of a guest at a reception desk. © Reuters

MASAKI ISHIHARA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's health ministry seeks to let hotels refuse to accommodate people suspected of being sick with COVID-19, hoping to shore up a still-struggling industry by giving customers and employees more peace of mind.

Plans for the policy change set out Thursday would allow for screening based on possible symptoms such as fever or cough, but only during an active outbreak. Hotels could ask a potentially infected customer to see a doctor, and deny service if they refuse without a legitimate reason.

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