Coronavirus COVID-19
Asia Pacific
Governments and agencies around the world are rallying to protect their people from COVID-19. But each country and region is employing different tactics to meet the same goal. Morgan Lewis has assembled cross-disciplinary teams across our global offices to advise companies on this ever-evolving patchwork of laws and guidance.
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China
While retailers in China have been permitted to reopen, required steps to do so include health and sanitation measures. Some local governments are also considering extending the weekend in order to stimulate consumption and promote economic recovery.
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had sweeping effects around the world, and in this era of globalization, business transactions that span multiple jurisdictions and markets have fallen prey to new and unexpected risks presented by the pandemic.
Entry into the People’s Republic of China for employees of US companies is possible through certain limited routes, including the Regular Channel and Green Channel, plus through the newly created Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, merger control authorities in jurisdictions around the globe are adapting their operations and procedures.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, intellectual property (IP) offices in jurisdictions around the globe are temporarily closing and/or extending deadlines. At Morgan Lewis, we are actively tracking these closures and new deadline policies to ensure that our clients’ valuable IP rights are protected.
The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the global sports industry and its affiliated sectors is substantial and unprecedented. Constructive stakeholder engagement at all levels is crucial to ensuring business continuity. Organizations should be cognizant that decisions made now will attract post-crisis scrutiny, and start planning for post-pandemic recovery and growth.
As the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections has diminished in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), everyday life has been evolving slowly to bring employers and employees closer to the pre-COVID-19 working environment. However, schools still remain closed (with no official date set for their reopening) and large public gatherings are still prohibited. That said, while the PRC government has eased the overall pandemic prevention and control measures, employers should be aware of many new regulations at both the national and local levels to address the myriad employment issues that have arisen.
The Asset Management Association of China encourages new private equity funds to invest in medical enterprises related to epidemic prevention and control, and has extended certain reporting deadlines.
As employers in the People’s Republic of China have proceeded or attempted to resume operations since the end of the extended Spring Festival period in early February, they have faced various preapproval and filing requirements imposed by local governments based on several epidemic prevention and control measures implemented to control the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led to travel bans and restrictions, the lockdown of cities, and the quarantine of individuals. These government measures have disrupted businesses and supply chains, and many companies listed on the Singapore stock exchange have announced disruptions to their operations in China, including factory and store closures.
In the changing employment environment surrounding the current outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), salary payment standards are governed by local rules and emergency measures. This LawFlash provides a summary of the different standards as of February 3.
This Lawflash provides multinational companies with operations in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with some guidance on how to handle the challenging employment issues during this time.
Hong Kong
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
In immigration developments the week of July 13, an executive order makes persons born in Hong Kong chargeable to Mainland China for immigrant visa purposes; the policy preventing F-1 and M-1 international students from attending college fully online was abandoned; and the US Department of State clarified that there are national interest exceptions to the presidential proclamations on immigration, including for humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, merger control authorities in jurisdictions around the globe are adapting their operations and procedures.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, intellectual property (IP) offices in jurisdictions around the globe are temporarily closing and/or extending deadlines. At Morgan Lewis, we are actively tracking these closures and new deadline policies to ensure that our clients’ valuable IP rights are protected.
As the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has introduced a number of initiatives to assist Singapore financial institutions in supporting their customers. This LawFlash provides an overview of the MAS relief initiatives.
As the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has introduced a number of initiatives to further support small-medium enterprises. These initiatives include enhancements to standby liquidity facilities, including that banks may temporarily operate with a lower liquidity ratio and defer the implementation of certain aspects of Basel III.
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) introduced a new Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (the Group Gathering Regulation), which became effective on March 29.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has released a number of circulars relating to COVID-19, including March 31 guidance on licensing and ongoing compliance matters. This LawFlash provides an overview of the guidance and its implications for licensed corporations.
With the situation surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus rapidly changing, key practical considerations for financial institutions regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and Hong Kong Monetary Authority include business continuity planning, contract issues, and notification and filing requirements.
With the situation surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly changing, multinational companies with operations in Hong Kong should be aware of how to handle challenging employment issues during this time. This LawFlash provides insight based on existing laws and legislation in Hong Kong, including previous guidelines issued by the Hong Kong Labour Department on labor-related matters arising from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. Companies with employees in Hong Kong should consult this guidance in responding to COVID-19.
India
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the global sports industry and its affiliated sectors is substantial and unprecedented. Constructive stakeholder engagement at all levels is crucial to ensuring business continuity. Organizations should be cognizant that decisions made now will attract post-crisis scrutiny, and start planning for post-pandemic recovery and growth.
The nationwide lockdown in India in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been extended until May 3. The Indian government has permitted the operation of certain additional business activities from April 20 onwards.
With increasing cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in India, travel restrictions have been expanded and a 21-day lockdown has been implemented to contain the spread of the virus within the country.
Japan
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
This alert provides a summary of the announcement (Announcement) issued by the Kanto Local Finance Bureau (KLFB) at the beginning of August 2020. Responding to the Japanese government’s “Report concerning Promotion of Regulatory Reform,” the Financial Services Agency (FSA) announced on July 17, 2020 the FSA’s temporary treatment for applications or notifications given the circumstances of the continuing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had sweeping effects around the world, and in this era of globalization, business transactions that span multiple jurisdictions and markets have fallen prey to new and unexpected risks presented by the pandemic.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, merger control authorities in jurisdictions around the globe are adapting their operations and procedures.
There are various issues to be considered at the initial stages of US patent litigation, such as accepting process of service, various pleading strategies, technical analysis of the assertions, and necessary measures to be taken in anticipation of future discovery.
Morgan Lewis partner Nancy Yamaguchi will speak on the challenges Silicon Valley faces with COVID-19, how innovators are addressing them and are moving forward in spite of the difficulties, and steps Japanese firms in Silicon Valley can take to adapt and even benefit from the crisis.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, intellectual property (IP) offices in jurisdictions around the globe are temporarily closing and/or extending deadlines. At Morgan Lewis, we are actively tracking these closures and new deadline policies to ensure that our clients’ valuable IP rights are protected.
The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the global sports industry and its affiliated sectors is substantial and unprecedented. Constructive stakeholder engagement at all levels is crucial to ensuring business continuity. Organizations should be cognizant that decisions made now will attract post-crisis scrutiny, and start planning for post-pandemic recovery and growth.
Following the declaration of a state of emergency due to COVID-19, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) made recent announcements extending the filing deadline for annual securities reports and other disclosure reports, and providing guidance on annual shareholder meetings. In addition, the government announced additional areas subject to the declaration and an amended assistance plan.
Shortly after the announcement that the 2020 Summer Olympics would be delayed until Summer 2021, the Japanese government on April 7 announced a state of emergency for Tokyo and six prefectures (Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka) in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This LawFlash answers key questions about employers’ obligations to their employees during the state of emergency and provides an overview of the government subsidies currently available.
The Japanese government declared a state of emergency with respect to seven prefectures on April 7. The government also has issued emergency policies in response to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including the Emergency Economic Measures for New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control, issued that same day.
This alert reviews the impact of the Government of Japan’s recent state of emergency declaration due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic on the practices of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau, which has switched to rotating shift work resulting in the anticipation of longer filing times.
Japanese government officials have issued a broad travel ban, expanded to include major trading partners such as the United States, all of China, and Great Britain. With no state of emergency or stay-at-home orders currently in effect, there are ways multinational companies can continue their business and transactions in Japan during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Foreign investment trust notifications, foreign investment corporation notifications, and Article 63 notifications required to be filed prior to making a solicitation for investments to relevant Japanese investors may be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting lockdowns.
This is the first in a series of alerts from Morgan Lewis’s investment management team in Tokyo that summarize how the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic impacts investment fund-related businesses in Japan. This first alert summarizes how the pandemic impacts annual business report filing requirements, particularly for financial instruments business operators and business operators conducting permitted businesses for qualified institutional investors under Article 63 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Kazakhstan
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
The Kazakhstan government has adopted a resolution that establishes the so-called “adjustment coefficient” zero to salary-related taxes and payments in an effort to stabilize the economy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, No. 414-V, dated 23 November 2015 (the “Labor Code”) provides employers with the right to take certain actions towards employees in connection with the state of emergency in the country that was declared in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In connection with the current national state of emergency, Republic of Kazakhstan Prime Minister Askar Mamin signed Resolution of the Government No. 220 on Certain Issues of Entry into (Exit from) the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Stay of Immigrants in the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 17, suspending the effect of certain norms of the law providing visa-free travel regime for citizens of specific countries.
In connection with the current state of emergency in Kazakhstan related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, President Kassym-Zhomart Tokaev has signed a decree on a special military call-up in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic fallout, the government of Kazakhstan has introduced several emergency measures to stabilize the country’s economy and help businesses. This LawFlash discusses some of those measures, including tax incentives and extended grace periods for loans, among others.
Due to the current unstable situation in the world financial and local currency markets due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the National Bank of Kazakhstan has started changing currency control regulations.
The Federal Communications Commission is easing gift rules for participants in the RHC and E-Rate programs so that broadband providers can help support these critical institutions responding to the coronavirus.
Southeast Asia
Our COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium brings together in one place an overview of our key publications covering the legal and regulatory landscape, including matters related to business operations and industry-specific issues faced by many companies around the world amid the pandemic.
Singapore’s telehealth sector is driven by the growing telemedicine industry, which has seen an increase in digital self-help options to consult medical doctors through online web-based applications. Telehealth providers in Singapore are mainly focused on providing remote telemedicine and/or on-demand house call services.
The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has announced plans for a progressive reopening of Singapore’s economy and society as it emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The taskforce has also been reviewing the border measures put in place to manage the risks of importation, and will likewise be implementing progressive changes as the borders reopen to international travel.
The Singapore government on 5 June passed the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment) Bill, which aims to provide eligible small- and medium-sized enterprises with rental relief. The bill is premised on a fair sharing of obligations between the government, landlords, and tenants.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, merger control authorities in jurisdictions around the globe are adapting their operations and procedures.
With the easing of circuit-breaker measures in Singapore, employers gearing up for reopening must implement safe management measures to provide a safe working environment for employees. Here is a brief guide for employers in Singapore on things to take note when planning for these measures.
The Singapore government announced on 26 May its S$33 billion “Fortitude” budget, which will provide support for businesses and workers in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Workforce retrenchment in Singapore is expected to hit record numbers as a result of economic disruption from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Here is a brief guide for employers in Singapore as they consider retrenchment as an option.
As governments around the world work to stem the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, intellectual property (IP) offices in jurisdictions around the globe are temporarily closing and/or extending deadlines. At Morgan Lewis, we are actively tracking these closures and new deadline policies to ensure that our clients’ valuable IP rights are protected.
The Malaysia Securities Commission (SC) announced on April 28 that flexibility will be granted for businesses issuing convertible notes to venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) firms registered with the SC.
Recent updates from Singapore amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic include elevated restrictions on what businesses are considered essential, a new facility for more affordable loans for small and medium-sized enterprises, and new research and development work.
The Singapore Ministry of Law has issued an order summarizing alternative arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic for convening, holding, conducting, or deferring general meetings pursuant to certain provisions of written law or legal instruments, while the Singapore Exchange Regulation Pte. Ltd. has introduced measures to support listed companies by suspending entry onto the Financial Watch-List and enhancing the share issue limit for companies listed on the Mainboard.
As the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has introduced a number of initiatives to assist Singapore financial institutions in supporting their customers. This LawFlash provides an overview of the MAS relief initiatives.
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, and Singapore Exchange Regulation on 7 April announced that they will automatically extend by 60 days the deadline for all companies to hold their annual general meetings.
Increased measures to preempt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Singapore may cause disruption to commercial contracts, as parties unable to perform their obligations could invoke force majeure.
The Ministry of Law of Singapore announced the introduction of a new bill on 1 April aimed at protecting individuals and businesses that are unable to fulfil their contractual obligations because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Due to the current unstable situation in the world financial and local currency markets due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the National Bank of Kazakhstan has started changing currency control regulations.
The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) imposed tighter safe-distancing measures on 24 March to minimize further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Because of the fluid and unpredictable nature of COVID-19, companies and shareholders must maintain flexibility throughout this emergency and implement alternative means to ensure compliance with MOH directives.
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has led to travel bans and restrictions, the lockdown of cities, and the quarantine of individuals. These government measures have disrupted businesses and supply chains, and many companies listed on the Singapore stock exchange have announced disruptions to their operations in China, including factory and store closures.
The Singapore government has introduced additional control measures to minimize the risk of further transmission of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the community. Employers in Singapore must take proactive steps within the legal boundaries to ensure the workforce remains safe and productive and to minimize disruption to operations.
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