EIG COVID-19 Update | November 16, 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 updates 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

Greece | The government has furthered the lockdown measures and closed nursery and primary schools until the end of the month. The original lockdown included an overnight curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM. Secondary schools and universities were already closed.
Case Update: 1,695 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/11/16 2:00 PM CEST

Iran | From Saturday, the government will impose “red,” level 3 measures in Tehran and approximately 100 other smaller towns. Nonessential businesses and services will be closed, and incoming and outgoing traffic will be banned.
Case Update: 12,543 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/11/16 2:00 PM CEST

The United States | On Friday, President-elect Joe Biden’s leading coronavirus advisor said there are no plans for a nationwide lockdown. Since the weekend, state governors of California, Oregon, and Washington urged residents to avoid leaving the state and limit holiday travel plans. The governor of Oregon ordered limiting social gatherings to no more than six people. Over the weekend, the governors of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania had a COVID-19 strategic meeting to coordinate responses.
Case Update: 155,501 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/11/11 2:00 PM CEST

 

On November 2, DHS proposed H-1B rule changes that would eliminate the current random generated selection of H-1B cap registrations and instead replace the selection process with prioritizing higher wage levels first. In this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, we talk to Erickson Immigration Group attorney Krystal Kirst about this potential policy change and the impact on petitioners.

 

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.