Japan - Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

For the time being, foreign nationals categorized below are denied permission to enter Japan as ones who fall under the Article 5, paragraph (1), item (xiv) of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, unless exceptional circumstances are found.

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US - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4

On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4. 

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Myanmar - Announcement on Extension of the Precautionary Restriction Measures Related to Control of COVID-19 Pandemic until 15 May 2020

In order to continue its effective measures to protect the populations in the country from the risks of importation and spread of COVID-19, the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has extended the aforementioned entry restriction measures until 15 May 2020.

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Singapore - Extended Tax Filing Deadlines

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has implemented the following measures for the safety and well-being of taxpayers in view of the COVID-19 situation.

Extension of Tax Filing Deadlines 

As part of support measures to help taxpayers in light of the COVID-19 situation, IRAS is providing an automatic extension of deadlines for tax filing for individuals and businesses.

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WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance that provides relief to individuals and businesses affected by travel disruptions arising from the COVID-19 emergency.

The guidance includes the following:

Revenue Procedure 2020-20 (PDF), which provides that, under certain circumstances, up to 60 consecutive calendar days of U.S. presence that are presumed to arise from travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 emergency will not be counted for purposes of determining U.S. tax residency and for purposes of determining whether an individual qualifies for tax treaty benefits for income from personal services performed in the United States;

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Singapore - Ministry of Trade's Tightened List of Essential Services and Measures for Workplaces Which Remain Open

On 21 April 2020, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced that fewer businesses will be permitted to operate during the Circuit Breaker. 

This will further reduce the number of workers who have to physically go to work, so that we can minimise the movement and interaction of people, and curb the spread of COVID-19. 

Supermarkets and wet markets will continue to operate as per normal during the Circuit Breaker and Extended Circuit Breaker period.

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Singapore - PM Lee's address on extension of 'circuit breaker' measures

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the nation on Tuesday (Apr 21), giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in Singapore as well as the "circuit breaker" period. 

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Australia - Employers need to get ready for JobKeeper

The new JobKeeper Payment has passed through parliament and the Australian Taxation Office is working to assist businesses to access the scheme, helping them to retain their employees.

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《I'm A-Lin 線上音樂會》完整版 - TME live 20200411 / I'm A-Lin online concert

听天生歌姬，享受这宁静的夜晚。

Vietnam - Gov’t not to loosen entry restrictions until month end due to COVID-19

Entry restrictions will not be eased until April 30, according to the latest announcement released by the Government Office.

Under the announcement, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security to continue tightening entry control.

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Vietnam - Gov’t extends social distancing for at least one week in 28 localities

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed with a proposal of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control to extend social distancing for at least one week in high-risk and risky localities.

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South Korea - Invalidation of Short-term Visa, Temporary Suspension of Visa Waiver and Visa-Free Entry Programs to Take Effect

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is seeing a nationwide downward trend of its novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection cases. Nevertheless, the general public remains largely concerned over the infectious virus coming from overseas as countries around the globe are grappling with the aggravating COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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Taiwan - Inbound travelers from Europe and Americas should notify health officials before returning to Taiwan

On April 14, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that beginning 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 18, inbound travelers who have visited Europe and the Americas in the last 14 days (starting 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 4) should voluntarily present documents for home quarantine requirements before boarding. 

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India - Govt decides to extend national lockdown till 3 May 2020

The Government has decided to extend lockdown till 3 May. Addressing the nation on 14 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, stakeholders including states and people have favoured extension of lockdown.

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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Tax payment deadline automatically extended by three months

The Chief Executive announced on April 8 that to ease the financial burden and cash flow of businesses and individuals arising from COVID-19, tax payment deadlines for salaries tax, personal assessment and profits tax demand notes for the year of assessment 2018/19 which fall between April to June of this year are automatically extended by three months.

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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is announcing special arrangements this year due to COVID-19 to make it easier for people to claim deductions for working from home.

The new arrangement will allow people to claim a rate of 80 cents per hour for all their running expenses, rather than needing to calculate costs for specific running expenses.

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Singapore - COVID-19 (TEMPORARY MEASURES) (CONTROL ORDER) REGULATIONS 2020 COME INTO FORCE ON 8 APRIL

The COVID (Temporary Measures) Act was passed by Parliament on 7 April 2020. Under Sections 34(1) of the Act, the Minister may make regulations (called “control orders”) for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, delaying or otherwise controlling the incidence or transmission of COVID-19 in Singapore.

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Singapore - EXPANSION OF THE ENHANCED STAY-HOME NOTICE REQUIREMENTS TO ALL COUNTRIES

From 9 April 2020, 2359 hours, all Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass holders entering Singapore will be required to serve a 14-day self-isolation at dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facilities.

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Singapore - MOM's advisory on salary and leave arrangements during Circuit Breaker

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce had announced on 3 April an elevated set of safe distancing measures as a circuit breaker to pre-empt the trend of increasing local transmission of COVID-19. 

The heightened safe distancing measures to suspend activities at most workplace premises will be in place from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020 ("Circuit Breaker") and are intended to further reduce the movements and interactions of people.

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The Government of Canada announces new measures for ferries and commercial passenger vessels capable of carrying more than 12 passengers

Ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is the Government of Canada’s top priority. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Transport Canada is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

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纯享版：袁娅维《有一种悲伤》 —— 《歌手·当打之年》Singer 2020

这个版本很优。大家不要悲伤，过了这一战我们会更坚强。Love this re-arrangement of which the original is itself a heart wrenching classic. Let's not despair, we will emerge warriors after this war.

Singapore - PM Lee Hsien Loong's remarks in English, Malay and Chinese on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Singapore, delivered on 3 April 2020

Initially, many of the new cases were imported from overseas, mostly returning Singaporeans. 

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Japan - Visa restrictions for strengthening border security measures to prevent spread of Novel Coronavirus

Designating the entire areas of 49 countries and regions listed below* as areas subject to the entry ban. Banning the entry of foreigners who have visited the areas within the last 14 days unless there are special circumstances.

*Albania, Armenia, Israel, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Ecuador, Egypt, Australia, Canada, Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Kosovo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Singapore, Slovakia, Serbia, Thailand, Taiwan, Czech, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Chile, Dominica, Turkey, New Zealand, Panama, Hungary, Bahrain, Philippines, Finland, Brazil, Bulgaria, Brunei, United States, Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia, Poland, Malaysia, Moldova, Morocco, Montenegro, Mauritius, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania

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China - Preferential policies to cut tax load of SMEs

China is contemplating more measures to ease the tax burden of small and medium-sized enterprises, amid the accelerated production resumption, officials said on March 31.

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