Global Newsflash - COVID-19

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. While it is unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people, authorities across the globe are issuing travel health notices related to this outbreak.

In this series of news alerts, we will provide you with immigration updates to keep you up to date on the rapidly evolving situation within our region.  

Italy – Quarantine extended to entire country, government offices in Northern Italy remain closed

What is the Change?

The entire country is now under quarantine, and starting from March 9th, all immigration offices in Italy remain closed in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Travel in Italy will be limited to work and family-related emergencies. Foreign nationals will not be able to complete procedures or appointments that require in-person visits such as work permit approval and collection and document submission.

?       Implementation time frame: March 9; ongoing.

?       Visas/permits affected: Potentially all work-related permits and visas.

?       Who is affected: Foreign nationals with pending visas, permits and appointments, and their employers.

?       Business impact: Employers may face disruptions and delays affecting the employee work permit process in Italy.

?       Next steps: Employers should anticipate further restrictions and closures related to COVID-19.

Italy currently has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe. In light of the continued closures, the government has suspended the 30-day processing deadline for initial and renewal residence permit applications. The Milan Prefecture remains closed; the immigration office of the Milan police office is now closing to the public as well as any other immigration office in Italy. Starting from today, immigration appointments already scheduled will be postponed to a later date, after the 30 days suspension.

Employers should anticipate further public office closures and quarantine throughout the country, and must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by the quarantine and closures. The response to the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.

Japan - Travel restrictions

What is the change?

An entry ban applies to foreigners with recent travel history to the following areas within the last 14 days:

?   People’s Republic of China

o  Hubei Province

o  Zhejiang Province

?   Republic of Korea

o  Daegu Metropolitan City

o  North Gyeongsang Province (including Cheongdo County, Gyeongsan City, Andong City, Yeongcheon City, Chilgok County, Uiseong County, Seongju County, and Gunwi County)

?   Iran

o  Qom Province

o  Tehran Province

o  Gilan Province

The ban also applies to foreign nationals who hold a Chinese passport issued in Hubei Province or Zhejiang Province. Foreign nationals on passenger ships who are at risk of being infected with COVID-19 will also not be allowed to enter Japanese ports.

Visa applications

Visa applications will not be accepted if the applicant has been physically present in any of the areas listed above in the 14 days prior to their visa application. Visa exemptions for Hong Kong SAR (both SAR and BNO passport holders), Macau SAR, and the Republic of Korea, will be temporarily suspended.

Single entry visas and multiple entry visas, including diplomatic and official visas, which have been issued on or before 8 March 2020 by Embassies, Consulates-Generals and Consulates of Japan in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong SAR, and the Republic of Korea will also be temporarily suspended. These measures are effective from 0:00 a.m. (JST) on 9 March 2020, and will remain in force until 31 March 2020.

Saudi Arabia – Travel restrictions expanded to more countries

What is the change?

The Saudi government has placed restrictions on travel from more countries to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Foreign nationals from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Egypt are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Nor can travelers from those countries who were there 14 days before their arrival to Saudi Arabia, including Italy and South Korea. Air and sea travel between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Italy, and South Korea have also been stopped.

?     Implementation time frame: Immediately.

?     Visas/permits affected: Visas used to travel from the target countries and ones used by foreign nationals from them.

?     Who is affected: Travelers to Saudi Arabia from the target countries and foreign nationals from those countries.

?     Business impact: The restrictions will affect travel from the target locations, including travel for business.

?     Next steps: The restrictions are in place until further notice. Employers who have employees in the target countries who match the specified time frames or who are foreign nationals from those countries can expect they will not be allowed entry into Saudi Arabia. Additional restrictions are possible in the coming months.

Entry to Saudi Arabia by land from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain is temporarily suspended. Only commercial trucks from these three countries will be allowed entry and they are required to undergo health inspections. 

The new restrictions are now active in addition to the recent ones on tourist and religious travel. Those who are considering travel to Saudi Arabia may want to reconsider their plans at this time. The COVID-19 outbreak is an emerging situation that is changing rapidly and Deloitte will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.

AUSTRALIA – Entry ban, other measures expanded to contain spread of COVID-19 virus

What is the change?

Australia has expanded the entry ban to include foreign nationals traveling from South Korea. It has also mandated enhanced screening of travelers coming from Italy.

Key Points:

?       Foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who have been in South Korea on or after March 5 will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through South Korea.

?       Australian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members (spouses, legal guardians or dependents only), though they will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the day they left South Korea.

?       Australia will continue to deny entry to anyone who has left or transited through mainland China or Iran within the previous 14 days, with the exception of: Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens residing in Australia, Immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents (including spouses, minor dependents and legal guardians) and diplomats. Airline and maritime crews may be eligible for limited exemptions, provided they comply with precautionary measures.

?       Australian citizens and permanent residents are advised not to travel to China, Iran and Daegu in South Korea.

Jurisdictions throughout Asia and across the globe continue to implement entry bans and other immigration restrictions as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread. Last month, Australia extended its previous entry ban on travel from mainland China and has recently added Iran to the entry ban list.

The extension of the previous entry ban to Iran, as well as the new entry ban affecting travel from South Korea, represent Australia’s ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Employers must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by travel restrictions and delays. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.

Kazakhstan – Work permit issuance suspended for certain countries owing to COVID-19 outbreak

What is the change?

Authorities have stated they have temporarily suspended work permit issuance to residents of China, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Spain.

Nationals of these countries and regions will be denied work authorization until further notice.

?     Implementation time frame: March 1.

?     Visas/permits affected: Work permits.

?     Who is affected: Foreign nationals from China, Germany. Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and their employers.

?     Business impact: Employers of foreign nationals traveling from the above countries and regions may experience significant delays affecting employee mobility.

Additional information:

Kazakhstan has mandated the following preventative measures for foreign nationals arriving from affected areas:

?     China, Iran and South Korea: 14 days of quarantine and 10 days of monitoring after quarantine discharge.

?     Italy: self-isolation for 14 days with daily monitoring through medical worker calls.

?     Germany and Spain: Daily monitoring through medical worker calls.

The temporary work permit issuance ban and quarantine measures are part of Kazakhstan’s increased efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Employers must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for employees who are affected by the work permit ban. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Malaysia - Malaysia bans cruise ships

What is the change?

Malaysia has issued a blanket ban on all cruise ships coming into the country due to the increasing COVID-19 cases. The immediate ban took effect following instructions from the Health Ministry and Transport Ministry.

Penang Port Commission issued a circular to ship owners, agents, vessel owners, port authorities and terminal operators, citing the ministries which said all cruise vessels are temporarily restricted from entering any Malaysian port until further notice.

Port Klang Authority, which also issued a similar statement, said while it acknowledged that the cruise industry is an important component, this temporary measure was necessary.