EIG COVID-19 Update | June 24, 2020

With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these emails to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.

International Updates

The United States | In a joint travel advisory with the governors of Connecticut and New Jersey, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that travelers from US states with a significant number of infections would have to quarantine for 14 days. Effective at midnight tonight, that list includes Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The list will continue to be updated on the states’ websites.
Case Update: 26,519 new cases, -1,056 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST

The European Union | According to reports, EU countries are considering including the United States in an entry-ban based on the current coronavirus infection rates. From a draft of the plan, the criteria would require permitted countries to not exceed the EU’s average number of new infections for the past 14 days (currently 16/100,000 people). The United States’ average is 107, Brazil’s is 190, and Russia’s is 80.

Officials involved in the planning warn that failing to agree could require countries to restore border restrictions within the EU. The final list of permitted countries will be presented next week and reviewed and potentially revised every 14 days.

Egypt | On Saturday, the government will lift the night-time curfew in place for the past three months. Restaurants, cafes, and religious centers will also be able to reopen but at a reduced capacity.
Case Update: 1,332 new cases, -244 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST

Israel/Palestine | Following an increase of new coronavirus cases, hot-zone areas in central Israel and Tiberias were partially locked down. The Palestinian Authority (PA) put the West Bank city of Hebron under lockdown as well.
Israel Case Update: 345 new cases, 184 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST
Palestine Case Update: 179 new cases, 11 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST

The Maldives | President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the country’s borders would reopen to tourism travel from all countries on July 15. Symptomatic travelers will be required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport, and testing will be available to travelers needing it to return to their home countries or for their next destination.
Case Update: 21 new cases, 7 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST

The United Arab Emirates | Emirates, the Dubai air carrier, has suspended flights from Pakistan after a passenger tested positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong.
Case Update: 380 new cases, 2 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/24 4:00 PM CEST

In the most recent Immigration Nerds podcast, host Ian Gaines talks to Dr. Usha Tummala-Nara, Program Director, Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology at Boston College. Dr. Tummala-Nara is currently conducting research on mental health and trauma within immigrant communities. In this timely conversation, we discuss the various mental, emotional, and psychic challenges of adjusting to a different culture, her approach to treatment, and how society can better tend to immigrant needs to facilitate an easier transition to living in a new country.

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.