Locational updates and alerts due to COVID-19

As 2021 kicks off, a number of locations are being impacted by new restrictions that are aimed at managing COVID-19 infections. As Our World In Data explains, "There are many reasons why some countries might have been worse-hit than others. Differences in governmental policy responses may explain some of the differences."

Local governments have put in place numerous measures in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus. Here are a few locational updates to keep your global mobility program up to date (please note that information is changing almost daily, thus changes may occur):

1. Canada: Pre-departure COVID-19 testing and negative results to be required for all air travelers coming to Canada. Effective Jan. 7, relocating/mobile employees must receive a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to flying to Canada. Here is the announcement from the Canadian government along with their FAQs page.
2. Singapore: As of Jan. 4, long-term passport holders and short-term visitors who have been to South Africa within the past 14 days will not be allowed entry or transit through Singapore. Citizens and permanent residents will be required to take a COVID-19 test and commit to a 14-day quarantine. (Update provided by our friends at EIG)
3. Russia: Per our friends at Intermark, as a general rule, Russia has closed its borders for most foreign citizens. To enter Russia, foreigners must be eligible for one of the exceptions prescribed by the Russian government (see list). Extended to June 15, 2021, employers who have a corporate employment permit may apply for individual work permits for the relevant employees regardless of their purpose of entry. Additional information is available for Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia and Uzbekistan.
4. United States: Per our friends at Fragomen, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended its remote I-9 document inspection policy through Jan. 31. Eligible employers will not be required to review I-9 identity and employment authorization documents in the employee’s physical presence until the interim policy expires or until three days after the COVID-19 emergency is over, whichever comes first. The relaxed policy only applies where company employees are working remotely due to the COVID-19 emergency. Additionally, from our friends at Envoy Global, in-person interviews are waived for certain nonimmigrant visas through March 31, 2021. The interview waiver applies to individuals who are applying for a visa in the same category and where the visas expire in the next 24 months.
5. United Kingdom: HR Grapevine shares, "Lockdown 3.0: What do the latest restrictions mean for HR?" Rising infections and the emergence of the B117 variant have led to new lockdown restrictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Jan. 4, where people in England were instructed to "stay at home to control the virus." According to the British government, people will only be able to leave their homes for certain reasons including food shopping, medical needs, exercise and to go to work, if it cannot be completed from home. For greater details on the national lockdown rules, and what rules are in place for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, head here.
6. Germany: Just in from the New York Times that Germany is extending a nationwide lockdown until at least the end of January due to a surge of cases and fear of the more contagious variant of the virus could spread.

Lastly, our friends at Newland Chase offer the latest travel and immigration updates on countries A to Z here. Let us know if you have specific locations you are concerned about, and understand that due to constantly changing conditions, restrictions are being adjusted and international business travel and assignment plans will often be impacted.