The Japanese government said Friday it will strengthen restrictions on Japanese nationals and residents arriving from India, where more contagious coronavirus variants have been raging, and its two neighboring countries Pakistan and Nepal.

The tighter steps, effective from Monday, will include asking those entering the country from the three countries to stay at a designated facility upon arrival for six days and get tested for coronavirus on the third day and the last day during that period.

A passenger from overseas (L) has his coronavirus test certificate checked at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture on April 19, 2021. (Kyodo)

Currently, the isolation period at a designated facility for people traveling from about 35 countries and regions where variants have been reported, including India and Pakistan, is three days, with a coronavirus test administered on the third day. Those who test negative are asked to remain in self-isolation at home or other location for 14 days after arrival.

These come on top of submission of negative test results taken within 72 hours prior to their departure and a test upon arrival.

At present, Japan bans all entry of nonresident foreigners except for those given approval under "special exceptional circumstances."