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
Argentina | On September 21, the government extended the existing coronavirus measures until October 11. People must carry the Unique Enabling Certificate for Circulation and follow a series of health and safety protocols. Personal, social, business, and public gatherings remain limited to no more than ten people. The intercity and inter-jurisdictional public transportation continue to be available only for essential activities.
Case Update: 8,782 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
Australia | From late September (final date to be determined), employers will be required to notify the DHA of temporary changes to employment arrangements for their temporary visa holders resulting from COVID-19.
Notifications include reduced working hours; temporary lay-off/stand-down; reduced salary; leave without pay; other change – remote work.
This is no longer a soft notification but will be a formal notice to be submitted via the DHA portal. Any sponsored foreign national employees that are working from home will require formal notice.
Case Update: 31 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/24 10:00 AM CEST
Belgium | From October 1, Belgians will not have to wear masks in public, and those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus will only have to quarantine for seven days.
Case Update: 233 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
Japan | In a draft, Olympic Organizers for the “Toyko 2020+1” Olympics said that international athletes would be required to take a coronavirus test on arrival in Japan.
Case Update: 330 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
Panama | From October 12, international flights to and from Panama will resume.
Case Update: 607 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
Singapore | The government will pilot a travel pass for senior executives who regularly travel for business. As the program rolls out, the passes will be limited, and all travelers will be required to self-isolate until they have the results of a swab test, instead of a two-week quarantine.
Case Update: 23 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
Spain | The government is reducing the required quarantine length from 14 days to 10 days.
Case Update: 14,389 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
The United Kingdom | Prime Minister Boris Johnson reintroduced new restrictions this week, including requiring restaurants and bars to close early and asking people to work from home if possible. These restrictions are likely to last six months.
Case Update: 4,926 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/23 4:00 PM CEST
In February, weeks before the US implemented a coronavirus response, EIG attorney Yasmin Mirreh published an article in Law360 — Coronavirus And Immigration: Tips For The Global Employer. Now, in this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, Yasmin talks about what she’s seen in the last almost seven months, what she hears from clients, and perspective moving forward.
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.