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 | The government is extending the current preventative measures and restrictions related to the coronavirus until January 31.
Chile | Entry is prohibited for foreigners coming from the United Kingdom either directly or in the last 14 days. Chileans and resident foreigners who have been in the United Kingdom during the last 14 days must carry out the mandatory quarantine in Chile. This policy went into effect on December 22 and will be reviewed again in two weeks.
The Czech Republic | Restrictions are increasing during the holiday season, including closing nonessential businesses, recreation facilities, and a stricter curfew.
The Philippines | President Rodrigo Duterte banned all flights from the United Kingdom. Travelers who have been in the UK in the last 14 days before arrival are temporarily barred from entering the country.
Singapore | Because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has developed a portal called FWMOMCare to monitor foreign workers’ health and gather the updated details for contact tracing purposes.
All S Pass holders are now required to download the app and register their details by today, December 23, 2020, or as soon as possible. Thereafter, there is a need to update the MoM of contact details within 5 days of any change.
Spain | The government has published a temporary restriction on flights and ships from the UK from December 22 to January 10. The restriction will not apply to Spanish or Andorran citizens, residents in Spain or Andorra, State aircraft, tracing and rescue services, non-commercial flights transiting Spain, flights of cargo, humanitarian, medical, or emergency purposes.
The exempted travelers will still be required to do health checks and provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before they arrive in Spain.
As well, there is a temporary restriction on land travel to the Schengen area through the checkpoint with Gibraltar. This restriction applies to any person, either a third-country national or beneficiary of EU free movement, except Spanish citizens, foreign national holders of a legal residence in Spain, cross-border workers, and legal residents in Gibraltar, independently from their citizenship.
Uruguay | The country’s borders by land, sea, and air, including flights or trips on private yachts, are closed until December 31. Humanitarian aid personnel, commercial or cargo transport, the mail, and those who have an air ticket purchased before the validity of this rule are exempted.
The United Kingdom | From December 26, more regions across southern England will graduate to Tier 4, with restrictions similar to a lockdown, as is the current status in London.
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.