The flight connecting Narita Airport and Nanjing in China went into service on the 22nd, and was used by more than 100 people, including Chinese living in Japan, who will temporarily return to Japan before the "Chinese New Year" next month.
Meanwhile, experts point out that it is necessary to refrain from traffic during the Chinese New Year to prevent the mutated new coronavirus from entering Japan.
Spring Airlines Japan, an LCC = low-cost carrier based at Narita Airport, is trying to capture the temporary return demand of Chinese people living in Japan before the Chinese New Year's "Chinese New Year" next month, on the 22nd, Narita and China Launched a flight connecting to Nanjing.
The number of passengers on the first flight departing from Narita Airport was 116, including Chinese living in Japan, and about 80% of the capacity was filled.
Narita Airport continues to be in a quiet state due to the suspension of international flights and reduced flights due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, but there is a line of passengers at the boarding gate of this first flight, and white protective clothing is used to prevent infection. The figure of the person who wore the was also seen.
The government has completely restricted foreigners from entering Japan from the 14th of this month as a measure against the border of the new coronavirus, but it continues to allow foreigners with a status of residence to re-enter Japan.
When re-entering Japan, we require a pledge such as waiting for 14 days at home or accommodation and storing location information.
A 23-year-old international student who returns to his parents' home in Zhejiang Province, China before the Chinese New Year said, "I haven't returned to Japan for a long time due to the influence of the new Corona, so I'm looking forward to eating with my family for the first time in a while. When I return to Japan, I want to wait at home for 14 days and be careful to prevent the spread of the infection. "
On the other hand, regarding the traffic during the Chinese New Year, Professor Tetsuya Matsumoto of the International University of Health and Welfare said, "In the current situation where infected people with a mutant virus whose infection route is unknown are confirmed in Japan, more viruses will enter. It may be necessary to stop traffic in order to prevent it. "
In addition, the Chinese government is increasing the sense of crisis that the infection will spread in various places before the "Chinese New Year", and is calling on the people to avoid returning home as much as possible.