Japan began mandatory temperature testing on Friday of all passengers departing on domestic flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport as part of measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus from the capital, which has recently seen a significant increase in new infections.

Thermal imaging cameras have been installed before the security gates in both of the airport's domestic terminals, with airline staff conducting the tests.

While the epidemic has forced sizable reductions in commercial flights, the Japanese government does not have legal power to enforce a strict lockdown and public transportation is not subject to restrictions under the country's state of emergency.

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If passengers are found to have a temperature of 37.5 degrees or above, they will be asked to refrain from boarding and handed a flyer recommending they consult a public health center.

The measures will apply to all routes until May 6, the last day of Japan's state of emergency, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The move is an effort to slow the spread of the virus to regional areas from Tokyo, which currently has the nation's highest number of coronavirus cases, by identifying potentially infected persons at one of its major transport hubs.

Temperature checks are also being carried out on passengers arriving on domestic flights at Shin-Chitose airport in Hokkaido and Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, the ministry said.