The Japanese government says that starting on Wednesday it will not require travelers from China to show a negative coronavirus test result if they have been vaccinated three times.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu made the announcement at a news conference on Monday.

He said travelers flying from mainland China will not be asked for a negative test result taken within 72 hours before departure if they present proof that they have received three doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

He said the government made the decision based on the infection situations in and outside Japan and other factors.

Matsuno also said Tokyo will continue the random PCR testing of a limited number of travelers arriving from mainland China on direct flights.

The current restrictions on visitors from China were introduced last winter as the coronavirus was again beginning to spread in the country.

After the legal status of the virus is scheduled to be downgraded in Japan on May 8, entry restrictions will no longer be in place.

Matsuno said it will still be necessary to monitor the virus. He said the government plans to conduct PCR tests on a voluntary basis for arriving travelers who have symptoms such as fevers and coughs. He added that a genetic analysis of the virus will also be carried out.