Japan - New measures for border enforcement (Quarantine enforcement during the state of emergency)

January 8, the Government of Japan decided new measures for border enforcement regarding the quarantine enforcement during the state of emergency.

With this measure, it will be requested for all those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan to submit a certificate of pre-entry COVID-19 testing result within 72 hours prior to departure and undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, until the state of emergency is lifted.

READ THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN's RELEASE HERE

READ MORE DETAILS HERE

Thailand - Extension of the duration of the enforcement of the Declaration of an Emergency Situation until 15 January B.E. 2564 (2021)

Pursuant to the Declaration of an Emergency Situation in all areas of the Kingdom of Thailand as from 26 March B.E. 2563 (2020) and the subsequent 8th extension of the duration of the enforcement of the Declaration of an Emergency Situation until 15 January B.E. 2564 (2021).

READ MORE HERE

China - Shijiazhuang tightens travel controls to curb virus spread

The Chinese city of Shijiazhuang has temporarily taken control of train travel and banned its residents from leaving the city in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The public security bureau of Shijiazhuang, capital city of North China's Hebei province, has imposed interim epidemic prevention and control measures at the city's railway station, with all passengers temporarily banned from entering the station and boarding the trains. Travelers may contact the railway ticketing department for refunds.

READ MORE HERE

South Korea - Submission of doctor's letter no longer required for F-4 Overseas Korean Visa

It was previously announced that a doctor's letter issued within 48 hours of visa appointment is required for visa application. It is no longer required with immediate effect.

General Information

• F-4 Overseas Korean visa is a 5 years multiple entry visa with sojourn period of 2 years.

The F-4 Visa holder should apply for a Resident Card(거소증) at the local immigration office in Korea within 90 days of his entry.

• F-4 Overseas Korean visa holder is not allowed to get a job in the field of simple labor service or activities against virtuous public customs.

READ MORE HERE

Scotland in lockdown

Mainland Scotland is to go into lockdown from January 5 with a new legal requirement forbidding anyone from leaving their home except for essential purposes.

Amongst the limited reasonable excuses to leave your home are provisions for caring, outdoor exercise and to go to work, but only if that work cannot be done from home.  

READ MORE HERE

China - Beijing extends COVID-19 observation period for inbound travelers

Beijing has extended the COVID-19 observation period for inbound travelers to 21 days following sporadic locally-transmitted cases.

Recently, there have been cases in Beijing and other cities across the country in which inbound travelers were confirmed as COVID-19 patients after 14 days of isolated observation and this led to a rebound in indigenous cases, said Xu Hejian, a spokesperson for the Beijing municipal government, at a press conference on Jan 5.

READ MORE HERE

Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the expansion of entry travel restrictions starting midnight of January 3

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the expansion of entry travel restrictions starting midnight of January 3. 

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente shared that following an order from Malacanang, foreign passengers coming from the United States of America have been included in the list of those restricted entry in the country.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

UK - Prime Minister announces national lockdown £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

• Chancellor announces one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring
• £594 million discretionary fund also made available to support other impacted businesses
• comes in addition to £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and extension of furlough scheme

This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last night that these business will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the virus, and, together with the wide range of existing support, provides them with certainty through the Spring period.

READ MORE HERE FOR NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

READ MORE HERE FOR LOCKDOWN GRANTS

Singapore - Updates on Border Measures For Travellers From South Africa / Measures Taken To Safeguard Health and Safety Of Shore-Based Personnel In Maritime Sector

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 situation and will be tightening border measures given the deteriorating situation in South Africa.

Travellers with recent travel history to South Africa within 14 days prior to departure to Singapore are currently required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. 

Travellers who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents are also required to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure and present a valid negative COVID-19 test result as a condition of approval to enter Singapore.

In light of the two recent cases, MPA will tighten the testing regime for all shore-based personnel going onboard ships. 

First, all shore-based personnel going onboard ships will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test within the next seven days, between 2 and 8 January 2021, to give assurance that they are clear of COVID-19. 

This will cover more than 20,000 personnel. Second, they will thereafter be subject to a tighter RRT regime; they will be tested every seven days instead of 14 days previously. 

Those who do not adhere to the RRT regime will not be allowed to board ships to work.

READ MORE HERE FOR UPDATES ON BORDER MEASURES FOR TRAVELLERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

READ MORE HERE FOR MEASURES TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD HEALTH AND SAFETY OF SHORED-BASED PERSONNEL IN MARITIME SECTOR

Taiwan - Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announces adjustments to regulations for foreign nationals entering Taiwan beginning January 1, 2021

Given the continued severity of COVID-19 worldwide and in order to secure domestic antipandemic efforts and ensure public health, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announces that beginning January 1, 2021, at 00:00 (local time at the airport of departure), entry restrictions and quarantine regulations for foreign nationals will be tightened. 

READ MORE HERE