Africa Business Radio

Japan confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a day after authorities announced new Covid border restrictions. Government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno says regarding the traveller arriving from Namibia, it was confirmed to be a case of Omicron after analysis at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. The announcement came a day after Japan tightened its border rules again, barring all new foreign arrivals just weeks after relaxing tough regulations to allow some students and business travellers entry. Japan has recorded just over 18,300 coronavirus cases during the pandemic while avoiding tough lockdowns.