Today is World Health Day, and this year the World Health Organization honors nurses and midwives for their essential role in keeping communities healthy around the world. This year, especially, we share our gratitude for the unsung heroes working tirelessly on the front-lines.
International Updates
Bulgaria | Entry into the country is temporarily banned to all foreign nationals except for citizens of 19 EU member states. Bulgarian citizens returning home and individuals with long-term permits to live in the country and their families are permitted entry.
The entry ban also applies to individuals coming from Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.
Case Update: 18 new cases, -56% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Colombia | The government extends the nationwide quarantine until April 27.
Case Update: 79 new cases, -76% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Denmark | The government has announced that the lockdown will begin to lessen after Easter, during which time nursery schools, grade school (0-5), and high schools for seniors will reopen. The closures for government offices, Danish immigration authorities, local registration, shopping centers, theaters, and restaurants remain.
Case Update: 312 new cases, 6% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
El Salvador | President Nayib Bukele warned that security forces had been ordered to enforce quarantine orders more rigorously, confining offenders to “containment centers” and confiscating vehicles.
Case Update: 7 new cases, 14% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Finland | The government has extended the travel restrictions in and out of the country to May 13.
Case Update: 249 new cases, 82% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Israel | The government issued new orders requiring the majority of the public to wear masks outside of the home. In advance of the Passover holiday, which begins at sundown on Wednesday, there are heightened travel restrictions banning all unnecessary travel from Tuesday evening through Friday morning, and a shop ban from Wednesday afternoon until early Thursday morning. According to a government statement, the Wednesday night shopping ban would not apply to “non-Jewish minorities” in the country.
Case Update: 593 new cases, 28% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Spain | To mitigate the lack of farmworkers in the country, Spain’s government will allow farms to hire between 75,000-80,000 people. Under this decree, if jobless people and legal migrants join the farm sector, they would still receive welfare benefits and be able to extend their work permits, respectively. Agricultural Minister Luis Planas said the new rule would be enacted until June 30.
Case Update: 4,273 new cases, -41% in daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/7, 9:00 pm CEST
Also, we encourage you to tune in (and subscribe) to the Immigration Nerds podcast. This week, we had a fascinating and eye-opening conversation with fashion designer Kimberly Wong who has been publishing a daily account of her life in quarantine in Shanghai. Ms. Wong shares how different her everyday life is now, and her gratitude for the many volunteers who are keeping her healthy and safe.