An entry ban for 159 countries and regions is currently in place in Japan in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.

This has been eased for those travelling for business, but the Japanese Government are hoping to allow tourists into the country for Tokyo 2020, which has been postponed to 2021 as a result of the global health crisis. 

The Government plans to ask foreign tourists to download a health check app when they obtain visas at Japanese consulates in their home countries, as reported by the Japan Times. 

Tourists will also be obliged to prove that they tested negative for COVID-19 before departure and to purchase health insurance in case of infection once in Japan.  

They will be able to attend Olympic and Paralympic events if they return a negative test upon entry into Japan. 

Tourists will then be expected to provide information on their health through the app for 14 days after entry, which could see them not have to complete a period of self-isolation. 

The Japanese Government is also considering setting up an exclusive health centre for foreign tourists to reduce the burden on public health centres.

Countermeasures are expected to be drawn up in January and trialled in April, depending on the number of coronavirus cases in Japan and in other countries. 

So far, Japan has reported more than 85,300 cases and 1,597 deaths, but is deemed to have kept the virus under control.

Many other countries around the world, including the United States, Brazil, Russia and Britain, are battling with a high number of cases or a second wave. 

It has already been reported that the Japanese Government will relax entry restrictions into the country to allow athletes to travel there and train.

Organisers are currently assessing what actions can be implemented to ensure the Games run smoothly against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A coronavirus countermeasures taskforce, comprised of officials from the Japanese Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020, is meeting regularly. 

A total of 50 measures designed to cut costs, relating to areas including the number of people involved, infrastructure and Ceremonies, have also been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020.   

Officials including Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori, IOC President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga have appeared confident the Games will take place next year.

The Olympics are scheduled for July 23 to August 8, followed by the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.