ICYMI: Let's look at how global mobility programs are being affected by numerous impactors

With thousands of corporate members, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has been utilizing monthly polls to track the impact of COVID-19 on the business travel industry. The most recent poll shares a set of interesting perspectives:

1. Almost 80% of participants feel that the worst of Omicron is over, with nearly 30% believing business travel will pick up quickly over the next three months and 50% feeling it will pick up but more slowly.
2. Nearly three-fourths of companies are now (sometimes or usually) allowing non-essential domestic business travel and almost half are allowing non-essential international business travel. 
3. Almost 70% of people would prefer to travel for business as much or more than they did before the pandemic, and 82% felt their company's employees were somewhat or very willing to travel.
4. Nearly 80% of participants felt that international visitors need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter.

If we could eliminate geopolitical issues and inflation, things would seem very positive overall. The other stat shared was that nearly 60% of companies will require most employees to report to the office, at least on some days, and another 15% prefer employees coming back to office but will not require it. That being the case, many companies are seeing increased relocation and assignment activity now and are also seeing an increased interest from many employees for moving themselves (self-initiated relocations). 

As we head toward what we has traditionally been "peak season" for relocation, let's look around to explore some of what is impacting global mobility programs. When looking at numbers of infections per 100,000, the following locations are seeing the highest rates: Brunei, Iceland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Latvia, Austria, Netherlands and Singapore. 

Let's look at some specific countries:

1. Hong Kong: Hong Kong is seeing record-high numbers, and on Sunday, March 6, reported 31,008 new COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths. Per Reuters, "The global financial hub is clinging to a 'dynamic zero' coronavirus strategy as a massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million residents are already infected." Hong Kong is planning to test its more than 7 million residents but has not rolled out a complete lockdown. Most countries are warning against travel currently to Hong Kong.
2. United States: On the other end of the spectrum, starting later this month (March 25), U.S. travelers going to Hawaii will no longer need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. The indoor mask mandate will also remain in effect until that date and be reconsidered at that point. Non-U.S. citizens and those not traveling to the U.S. on an immigrant visa must be fully vaccinated as well as show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or provide documentation of infection recovery. Overall in the U.S., virus activity continues to decline with new cases at their lowest levels since last summer. Keep in mind that nearly 1,800 deaths continue to happen per day, which is still nearly 12 times the figure in Hong Kong.
3. Australia: After almost 700 days, the last remaining border restrictions were lifted as the state of Western Australia has now reopened to vaccinated travelers, which allowed for thousands of people to flood into the state in the first 24 hours. The rest of the country had begun welcoming international travelers as of Feb. 21. Travelers must show proof of full vaccination to enter Australia without having to quarantine in a hotel, and they must provide a negative coronavirus test that was taken within 24 hours of departure. Unvaccinated travelers must obtain an exemption from the country’s authorities to be allowed entry and must quarantine upon arrival. 
4. New Zealand: Per the government website, New Zealand is "continuing to see increases in COVID-19 related hospitalisations, which is significantly greater than those from last year's Delta outbreak." In fact, the hospitalization rate is six times higher than the peak of what was seen with the Delta variant. At the same time, people who are hospitalized with the Omicron variant have shorter stays and less severe issues. As of March 3, fully vaccinated travelers entering New Zealand no longer need to self-isolate. Check here for the latest on travel into, out of and within New Zealand. 
5. South Korea: The country has seen a slight rise in infections and continues to maintain a Level 4 travel advisory (Do Not Travel) from the U.S. Department of State, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country. All travelers to South Korea must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure. There is a mandatory seven-day quarantine upon entry for most travelers. To keep up to date with the current social distancing rules, information can be found on the Ministry of Health and Welfare website. Currently, you're required to wear a mask in indoor public places or on public transport and in crowded outdoor areas.
6.  Germany: Restrictions for entry into Germany from many countries apply, although new rules for travel started as of March 3. All countries have now been removed from its high-risk list. Inbound travelers must complete a digital entry registration. Anyone over 12 also has to provide a negative test result or proof of immunity, and comply with quarantine regulations depending on the place of departure. Travel from EU countries, Schengen states and a number of other countries is permitted. 
7. Ukraine: As many are concerned about what is happening to Ukraine, one of the concerns was what the impact would be with their COVID-19 battle. Additionally, BAL recently shared that the European Council has introduced temporary immigration protections for individuals fleeing Ukraine. Rights under temporary protection include residence, access to the labor market, housing, medication assistance and education for children. A number of countries have adopted special immigration measures for Ukrainians following Russia’s invasion of the country. The U.S., for example, recently announced that Ukraine would be designated for Temporary Protected Status and has exempted some travelers from COVID-19 entry requirements. BAL is hosting a webinar on March 10 on the immigration impacts of the invasion of Ukraine. Information on the webinar is available here. 

For those who may have business travel, a relocation or a global assignment that is planned, this article from TPG shares some perspective on whether you should change your European travel plans in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Duty of care issues remain at the highest level of concern for global mobility programs! 

TPG also shares a quick recap of some other recent developments:

• The Maldives dropped its on-arrival, negative PCR test requirement on March 5.
• Bali dropped its quarantine requirement for 23 countries (including the U.S.) on March 7.
• Vietnam will reopen borders for international tourism on March 15.

 Check out their full (updated) country-by-country reopening guide to navigate international travel during the age of the coronavirus.