UPDATE
On February 28, 2020 Graham Adair published a Global Mobility per country advisory in light of the Novel Coronavirus. Since then, the virus has significantly spread into Europe and the United States triggering a few countries to significantly change their immigration policies to combat the spread of the virus.
UNITED STATES
On March 11, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of foreign nationals who have been in any European country/Schengen country during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. The proclamation does not apply to US nationals/US residents, immediate family members of US nationals, and other individuals identified in the proclamation.
It is expected that the Department of Homeland Security will implement a supplemental Notice of Arrivals Restriction procedures to conduct tests at airports for those traveling from the European countries identified in the proclamation. The supplemental measure will likely apply to all US nationals/residents/exempted individuals and will require them to travel through select airports where the United States Government will have screening procedures.
The countries identified in the proclamation include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland
ISRAEL
Currently, Israel has a ban-on-entry policy of non-Israeli nationals who have visited China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Austria.
On March 12, 2020, the Israeli government, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, will issued a total ban-upon-entry policy which will prevent all non-Israeli nationals from entering Israel unless they can prove, before entry with a consulate abroad, the location/residence where they will be quarantined. It was advised that “home isolation” cannot be replaced by a stay in a hotel room. If they cannot prove the location where they will be quarantined, they will be sent back – this determination will be at the sole discretion of consular officials.
SINGAPORE
On March 04, 2020, the Ministry of Manpower (hereinafter MoM) issued a directive requiring all passholders, and their respective dependents, entering Singapore exhibiting a fever, respiratory illnesses, or related symptoms to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the port of entry regardless of the countries they have visited.
Once tested, the entrants may enter Singapore and will be contacted about their results after 3 – 6 hours. Those with positive results will be sent to the hospital.
Singapore currently maintains a pre-approval policy which requires pass holders who have traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy, to secure MoM’s approval before entering Singapore. Pass holders with Hubei-issued passports or with recent travels to Hubei should defer their travels to Singapore.
If approved, the pass holders will be required to serve a 14-day mandatory home quarantine upon entry.
Pass holders who refuse testing and the quarantine policies set out by MoM, may be subject to significant penalties, including, but not limited to, having their work pass privileges revoked and/or face prosecution under the?Infections Diseases Act
How to Prepare Your Business
Given the current trend from the United States, Israel and Singapore, it is highly likely that countries will follow in the same direction imposing either a pre-approval immigration policy, or a total-ban immigration policy, for non-residents. Businesses should be prepared for sudden changes in business and work travel for the time being. Graham Adair is dedicated to ensuring full employer compliance and providing the most up-to-date information on country responses to the Coronavirus. Graham Adair continues to closely monitor global trends and policies for several countries across the globe, since this situation is ongoing, please note that information may change. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any information or with any concerns
