UK - The government has confirmed plans to introduce import controls on EU goods at the border after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.

There are a number of reasons for implementing import controls:

• to keep our borders safe and secure so we know who’s coming in and how often, what they are bringing in, and why
• to ensure we treat all partners equally as we begin to negotiate our own trading arrangements with countries around the world
• to collect the right customs, VAT and excise duties
• the EU has said it will enforce checks on our goods entering the Eurozone. We will likewise enforce our own rules for goods entering the UK

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Hong Kong - Immigration Department services arrangements

The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced February 9 the provision of basic and limited public services from February 10 to 16.

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Japan - New Travel Restrictions Related to Novel Coronavirus

Since the Government of Japan designated Novel Coronavirus as "Designated Infectious Disease" under the Infectious Diseases Act of Japan, foreign nationals who are deemed as patients of Novel Coronavirus shall be denied permission to land in Japan pursuant to Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan.

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Singapore - Coronavirus Advisory for employers to declare to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) if their foreign employees meet the criteria.

Actions to be taken by employers of foreign employees and mandatory declarations to MOM

If your foreign employees (work pass, in-principle approval (IPA), Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass holders) meet the criteria below, you must take the following actions:

Type of foreign employees	What you need to do
Travelled to mainland China within 14 days before arriving in Singapore from 31 Jan 2020 6pm.	Inform the affected employees that they will be on a 14-day LOA upon arrival in Singapore and get their written acknowledgement. Please keep this acknowledgement form and submit it to MOM when requested by the Controller of Work Passes. Declare to MOM that you have informed the affected foreign employees of the LOA requirement.
Have passports issued in Hubei and are currently overseas. OR Travelled to Hubei within the last 14 days and are currently overseas, regardless of nationalities.	Defer the affected employees’ entry/return to Singapore as far as possible until further notice from MOM. Inform MOM of your employees’ travel plans.

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Switzerland - Online withholding tax refund requests for Germany

From 31 January 2020, individuals and legal entities domiciled in Germany will be able to use an online application provided by the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) to request a refund of Swiss withholding tax.

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Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) to implement travel ban for foreigners coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that he has ordered the implementation of the expanded travel ban for foreigners coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions.

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Memorandum of Cooperation on a Basic Framework for Information Partnership for Proper Operation of the System pertaining to Foreign Human Resources with the Status of Residence of “Specified Skilled Worker signed between Japan and Thailand

The Memorandum of Cooperation on a Basic Framework for Information Partnership for Proper Operation of the System pertaining to Foreign Human Resources with the Status of Residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” was signed between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the National Police Agency of Japan, and the Ministry of Labour of the Kingdom of Thailand on 4 February 2020.

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Shakira & J. Lo's FULL Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show

If you are not a Super Bowl or football fan, the half time show is always a show stopper! And J Lo! She is on fire~~~~~~~~

Hong Kong - The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced the provision of limited public services from February 3 to 9

The offices will provide services during normal opening hours. For detailed opening hours of individual offices, please refer to ImmD's official website or mobile application. 

Meanwhile, other ImmD offices, including all Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres, and other public services will be temporarily closed and suspended.

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UK's Government Proposed Approach To The Future Relationship between the UK and the EU

This statement sets out the UK Government’s proposed approach to the negotiations with the EU about future relationship. Further details on this and other trade negotiations will be made available to Parliament as the process develops.

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