HKSAR - COVID-19 nucleic acid testing arrangements for people arriving in Hong Kong from places in China will be adjusted from April 1 to tally the relevant testing requirements

The Government today announced that the COVID-19 nucleic acid testing arrangements for people arriving in Hong Kong from places in China will be adjusted from April 1 to tally the relevant testing requirements.
 
Currently, the testing arrangements vary for people arriving from different places in China, including the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan, at different boundary control points.

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Philippines - Temporary Suspension of Operations in DFA Aseana and Other Consular Offices

In view of the announcement on the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 29 March to 04 April 2021 in the National Capital Region and in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will close its office located in ASEANA Business Park in Parañaque City as well as its Consular Offices in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Dasmarinas, San Pablo, and Malolos on 29 – 31 March 2021.

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Taiwan rolls out touchless boarding trials at Taipei Songshan Airport

Taipei Songshan Airport is the first in Taiwan to pilot touchless boarding as the country seeks to make its airports smarter, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications March 23.

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Singapore - From 5 April 2021, more employees may return to the workplace to better support in-person collaboration and business operations

The tripartite partners (MOM, SNEF, and NTUC) have updated the workplace safe management measures to allow greater flexibility for businesses, while mitigating the risk of widespread COVID-19 transmission. Effective implementation of these measures will help to avoid having to impose tighter measures.

These requirements will be effective from 5 April 2021, and are meant for general workplace settings. Specific workplaces like construction worksites and shipyards may have to fulfil additional requirements and should refer to sector-specific requirements.

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Germany - The measures currently in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are to be extended until 18 April

The measures currently in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are to be extended until 18 April. 

Over Easter, contacts are to be radically reduced for a period of several days because of the rapid rise in the number of new cases driven by the variant B.1.1.7. 

This variant now accounts for the majority of new infections in Germany. Here are the results of the meeting between the Federal Chancellor and the Heads of Government of the Länder. 

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Australia - Lawyers can now provide immigration assistance

On 22 March 2021, amendments to the Migration Act 1958 will take effect, allowing lawyers to provide immigration assistance without being registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

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Philippines - Bureau of Immigration (BI) to implement Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) order suspending entry of foreign nationals

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that they will be implementing a resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) suspending the travel of foreign nationals into the Philippines.

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US - Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. 

The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

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Thailand - State Quarantine Will Be Shortened to 10 Days

State quarantine for both Thai and foreign arrivals will be shortened to 10 days from 14 starting April 1, as part of the government’s plan to reopen the country from Oct 1.

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For Travelers to Japan (Pre-departure COVID-19 swab test in Singapore, etc.) - Updated 19 March 2021

When traveling to Japan, you (including Japanse nationals) are required to have a certificate of COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours before departure from Singapore. 

If you do not have the certificate, you will not be allowed to enter Japan based on the Quarantine Act.

You will need to install Video calling and Location-tracking app, and will be checked for the contact information on your “Written Pledge” before being allowed to proceed to the immigration checkpoint. (The requirements adobe also apply to Japanese nationals.)

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