Restrictions, Delays, Extensions and New Testing Requirements

Rising cases in Hong Kong have resulted in a return to preventative measures including a limit of 2 people permitted in public together. Japan has also seen cases rising and implemented local measures and requests to the public in order to combat further escalation. Vietnam has responded by imposing a ban on commercial flights until further notice. Most assignees with approved entry from the Vietnamese government have been arriving via chartered or cargo flights so no major interruptions are anticipated.

The much-anticipated travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong that we reported delayed last week has now been further delayed until sometime in 2021. Talks are set to resume later this month to establish a new timeline.

India has extended it’s international commercial flight ban through 12/31 while also increasing the list of countries with which it has established travel bubbles. The Philippines has also extended protocols including General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region which includes Manila until December 31st. A lesser, Modified GCQ orders are in place elsewhere in the country.

As of 1 December, Taiwan now requires proof of a negative nucleic acid test taken within 3 days before travel as an arrival requirement. PCR tests are regularly required for travel, but can be difficult to get without symptoms. Singapore has recently changed the requirement of Ministry of Health (MOH) approval and will now permit those seeking tests to receive them directly from an approved provider.

With ongoing border restrictions, sending assignees and families on trips to a new destination before the actual move date is not always feasible or cost-effective. Still, employees and their families need information about their new destination before they depart their home location. We have developed an alternative to the traditional, accompanied “Look-See / Familiarization” trip. Our Pr-e-Arrival Area Orientation Program introduces the new location and gives employees the information they need to be confident in their move.