Latest coronavirus updates:
APAC
Malaysia: The government announces entry permissions for expatriates. More info at: Immigration Department of Malaysia
Philippines: Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registered entities can now request PEZA endorsement to secure Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) travel ban exemptions (for essential and emergency reasons only). More info at: PEZA
Singapore: The following changes have been made to border measures:
- Singaporeans and permanent residents who left the country before the prevailing travel advisory was issued will have any Covid-19 costs waived.
- Ministry of Health (MOH) will not swab all persons under 12 before the end of their Stay-Home Notice (SHN), unless close contacts or parents are found positive.
- Returnees at SHN dedicated facilities will have their own room/toilet, and meals, Wi-Fi access and laundry services provided. If employees and family members are arriving on the same flight, the authorities will try to accommodate requests to stay together and provide the appropriate room based on family size. One individual per room costs SGD 2,000. Costs will be adjusted for shared rooms.
- Employer responsibilities for foreign employees arriving in Singapore include:
- Purchasing a local SIM card on behalf of the foreign employee before arrival. SIM cards can be delivered to hotel lobbies once the employee checks in. Employees will be escorted immediately upon landing and will no longer be allowed to purchase SIMs in transit.
- Arranging to send employees from the airport or other place of disembarkation directly to their SHN place of residence, unless they are serving SHN at dedicated facilities.
- Paying for Covid-19 tests and 14-day stays at dedicated SHN facilities. MOH and the hotel may reach out to the employee to provide billing instructions.
- Ensuring employees go for their Covid-19 tests at the assigned slots and arrange transport from their SHN place of residence to the testing facility.
Employers, work pass holders and their dependents have a joint responsibility to ensure that the SHN is complied with. MOM and the relevant authorities will take enforcement measures against any parties who do not comply with the requirements. Penalties include criminal proceedings, work pass revocations and withdrawal of work pass privileges. More info at: Ministry of Health
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
EMEA
Switzerland:
- On July 6, 2020, all Covid-19 restrictions on the admission of workers from third countries will be lifted.
- The cantons will begin the process of residence applications from third-country citizens who are not planning to work in Switzerland.
- Third-country citizens are still prohibited to travel to Switzerland on holiday, but entry to stay for less than 90 days that doesn’t require a permit will be issued in special cases.
No source available at the time of writing, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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