With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. As such, we hope these updates help to make sense of the changes happening across the world.
International Updates
California | Santa Clara County public health officer Sara Cody announced at a Board of Supervisors meeting that the county, which was initially on track to have an estimated 50,000 cases of COVID-19, has significantly slowed the spread. In early March, case counts were doubling every three days; it is now doubling approximately every two weeks.
China | For the first time in 76 days, people were allowed to leave Wuhan, the central Chinese City where the coronavirus had first emerged. State broadcast CCTV reported there 55,000 train tickets purchased for today.
Case Update: 86 new cases, 30.3% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Costa Rica | The government has extended the ban on foreign national entry into the country until April 30.
Case Update: 13 new cases, -31.58% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Egypt | The government has extended the curfew until April 23, though the curfew will now begin at 8 PM.
Case Update: 128 new cases, -14.09% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
The EU | As individual member states have introduced coronavirus tracking applications, the EU is determining standard rules to maximize technology and ensure data privacy.
Hong Kong | The government is extending the social-distancing policy, and closures for gathering places, until April 23.
India | The nationwide lockdown is set to end on April 14. However, Mumbai is going to extend its restrictions until at least April 30.
Case Update: 80 new cases, -92.9% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Mexico | The National Immigration Institute is closed until April 13.
Case Update: 296 new cases, 17% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
North Korea | The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that North Korea has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 and is continuing testing. Currently, there are 500 people in quarantine.
Switzerland | The government has extended national restrictions until April 26, noting that measures would lessen in a phased approach this month.
Case Update: 509 new cases, 15.9% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Thailand | All foreign nationals who legally entered the country will receive automatic visa extensions.
Case Update: 149 new cases, 192.16% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Turkey | The government will use mobile phones to track individuals in quarantine to make sure they don’t break the restrictions.
Case Update: 3,892 new cases, 23.63% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
The UK | A new COVID-19 symptom tracker is showing evidence that the current lockdown measures are working.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “clinically stable” in ICU for treatment for COVID-19.
Case Update: 3,634 new cases, -4.42% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
The US | On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin consulted with congressional leaders to secure an additional $250 bn in aid for US small businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated the funding could be approved as soon as Thursday.
Case Update: 29,510 new cases, 11.39% daily change, Last updated: 2020/4/8, 9:00 PM CEST
Erickson Immigration Group’s Immigration Nerds podcast is sharing stories at the cross-section of immigration, culture, travel, and, for now, the coronavirus. If you have stories to share, like this week’s guest fashion designer Kimberly Wong, we want to hear from you.
We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.