Japan to seek self-quarantine for travelers from Europe

Southeast Asia and other regions linked to domestic cases likely to be put on the list

A man wears a protective mask in Rome. Japan already bans foreign travelers from Italy, a hot spot for coronavirus cases. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE SHIGETA and ATSUSHI TERAOKA, Nikkei staff writers

March 18, 2020 00:26 JST

TOKYO -- Japan is poised to ask travelers coming from Europe to quarantine themselves for two weeks now that the region has become a hotspot in the global coronavirus pandemic, with Southeast Asia also likely to be added to the list.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to announce the quarantine request Wednesday, after a panel of experts submitted the recommendation to the health ministry on Tuesday.