Policy

The Argentine Government created the National Program of Emergency Assistance to Labor and Production, including several benefits for small to medium sized businesses. A compensatory allowance will be paid by the National Social Security Administration to certain workers of businesses of up to 100 employees.

A non-remunerative allowance will be paid for those businesses that exceed the number of 100 employees.

An unemployment benefit will be granted for workers of small to medium sized businesses.

A government monitoring committee has been created to attend requests on this matter.

The Argentine Government prohibited dismissals and suspensions of workers for 60 days. Force majeure or work disminution may not be used as causes to dismiss or suspend workers during this period.

The Argentine Government banned foreclosures from 29 March until 30 September 2020. During that time, monthly mortgage installments may not be increased on residential properties.

The Australian Government will pay a JobKeeper Payment to eligible employers.

The payment is AUD$1,500 per fortnight (before tax) for each eligible employee. Employers will pay their employees, and the Government will pay the subsidy to employers in arrears. Employers can start payments on 30 March.

Payments will last up to 6 months. Small to medium sized employers are eligible if they have lost 30 percent or more of their turnover from last year. Large employers are eligible if they have lost 50 percent of their turnover from last year.

Casual workers who have worked for an employer for less than 12 months and temporary visa holders who are not New Zealanders are not eligible.

The JobKeeper Payment aims to keep people in jobs, and to enable businesses to restart quickly once the pandemic has ended. It is estimated to cost AUD$130 billion.

The Australian Government is allowing individuals affected by the Coronavirus to access up to AUD$10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further AUD$10,000 in 2020-21.

Individuals will not need to pay tax on amounts released and the money they withdraw will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments.

Additionally, the Government announced it will halve minimum drawdown rates for account-based pensions and similar products for 2019-20 and 2020-21. This measure is intended to benefit retirees who would otherwise need to sell investment assets to drawdown on funds.

The Australian Government is providing a one-off payment of AUD$750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.

The measure, which is part of a AUD$22.9 billion package, is intended to support confidence and domestic demand in the economy. The payment will be made on 31 March 2020 and has an overall cost of AUD$4.8 million.

The Ministry of Finance approved the Promotional Audit Act, which allows the federal tax office to audit the data and documents beneficiaries of coronavirus subsidies.

The Ministry of Finance increased the coronavirus short-term work programme from EUR 400 million to EUR 1 billion.

As part of the EUR 4 billion for emergency aid, the Ministry of Finance established a coronavirus short-term work programme in which citizens can apply for assistance. EUR 400 million was earmarked for the fund.

The Ministry of Finance extended the deadline for submitting the annual tax declaration from the end of April and the end of June to August 31, 2020

The Ministry of Finance allocated EUR 9 billion for guarantees and liabilities

The Ministry of Finance allowed taxpayers to request from their tax office a deferral of certain tax payments or payment in installments, without additional interest or fees.

The Management Committee of Simples Nacional Extended the deadline for payment of taxes within the scope of Simples Nacional. For Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEI), all taxes calculated in the DAS-MEI Generating Program, that is, federal (INSS), state (ICMS) and municipal (ISS) taxes are extended for 6 months. For others they have 3 months for state (ICMS) and municipal (ISS) taxes and 6 months for federal (INSS).

The Banco Central Do Brasil announced a BRL 40 billion emergency credit line in order to support the payroll costs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises' (SME). The financing will be released in two tranches of BRL 20 billion, small and medium-sized companies (SME) — will have access, for two months, to an emergency payroll financing line.

The Ministry of Economy reduced interest rates for the credit card from 3% to 2.70%.

The Ministry of Economy established the anti-unemployment program, funded from the Worker Support Fund (FAT), where people who receive up to two minimum wages and have reduced wages and working hours will have access to an advance of 25% of what they would be entitled to monthly, if they applied for unemployment insurance. The anti-unemployment program will pay workers an amount ranging from R $ 261.25 to R $ 381.22.

The Canadian government announced up to CA$3 billion in funding to increase the wages of low-income essential workers.

All provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost share these wage increases.

The Canadian government announced CA$9 billion in support to post-secondary students and recent graduates.

This package is intended to support students in the summer, help them continue their studies in the fall, and help many get experience they need for their careers.

Funding will go towards a variety of measures. This includes a proposed Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which would provide CA$1,250 per month for eligible students or CA$1,750 per month for eligible students with dependants or disabilities, available from May to August 2020.

The funding includes the creation of a new Canada Student Service Grant, which will provide up to CA$5,000 towards education for students who choose to partake in national service and help their communities.

The funding will expand existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming, intended to create up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities.

Funding further includes doubling the Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students to up to CA$6,000 and CA$3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also be doubled.

Further measures will broaden eligibility for student financial assistance and enhance the Canada Student Loans Program by raising the maximum weekly amount that can provided in 2020-21 from CA$210 to CA$350.

CA$75.2 million is allocated towards increasing existing distinctions-based support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation students.

CA$291.6 million is allocated towards federal granting councils to extend expiring federal graduate research scholarships and postdoctoral scholarships. The government also intends to enhance work opportunities for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows through the National Research Council of Canada.

The Canadian Government announced temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program.

The previously announced wage subsidy will be increased so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 percent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee.

The end date for employment will be extended to 28 February 2021.

Employers will be allowed to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services.

Employers will be allowed to hire staff on a part-time basis.

The measure is intended to help employers hire summer staff and provide employment for young Canadians.

The Canadian Government will provide a taxable benefit of CA$2000 a month for up to 4 months to people facing unemployment, called the Canadian Emergency Response benefit (CERB).

Those eligible for the CERB include: workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support; workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19; working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures; workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work; wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

The Canadian Government allocated an additional CA$300 per child to eligible households under the Canada Child Benefit for 2019-20. The approximate value for the average family is CA$550. The measure will provide an additional CA$2 billion in support for parents laid off or unable to work.

The Canadian Government is placing a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all student loan borrowers, effective 30 March 2020.

The measure is intended to reduce financial pressure on student loan holders. No payment will be required and interest will not accrue during this time.

The Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development suspended the policy of depositing wages of migrant workers.

This measure is intended to better implement the employment priority policy, accelerate the implementation of phased and targeted burden reduction measures, and promote the resumption of production of construction enterprises.

The Ministry of Finance announced that banks would be required to relax rules for mortgages, personal credit card repayment arrangements, and insurance protection.

The Danish government removed the requirement that welfare recipients be available to work in order to receive payments.

The measure allows welfare beneficiaries to maintain their benefits at the same level as before the policy was introduced.

The policy is related to the closure of job centers, which in effect temporarily suspended employment support, including cancellation of all scheduled calls, postponement of all activation offers, and a freeze in new employment offers.

The Danish government allowed companies to reduce employees' working hours for a temporary period during which they can then receive supplementary unemployment benefit.

This policy is intended to help companies avoid redundancies to limit increases in unemployment.

The German Government introduced various tax measures to encourage aid for those affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The tax measures simplify various administrative requirements such as the collection of donations, usage of donation, sponsoring, financial support amongst business partners and others, to provide flexibility in supporting support efforts.

The measures will be backdated to 1 March 2020 and continue to 31 December 2020.

The German Government signed an agreement with the Dutch Government to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion of cross-border commuters between the two countries during COVID-19. It builds upon existing agreements for cross-border commuters but clarifies how tax authorities will deal with situations where people work from home, receive salary while not working or receive social insurance payments while not working.

The agreement refers to working days between 11 March 2019 and 30 April 2020. After 30 April 2020, it will automatically be renewed from the end of one calendar month to the end of the next calendar month unless terminated by the competent authority of one of the Contracting States at least one week before the beginning of the following calendar month by written notice to the competent authority of the other Contracting State.

The German Government will provide income compensation for people who have to look after their own children because of school or daycare closures and cannot go to work.

The compensation will cover 67 percent of a person’s ordinary monthly income up to 2,016 euros for up to six weeks. The payment will be made by a person’s employer who can apply for reimbursement from the state authority.

To qualify, a parent must have to look after children under 12 years of age because care cannot be guaranteed elsewhere and the parent’s flexitime or overtime credits must have already been exhausted.

If companies have to reduce the working hours of their employees due to supply bottlenecks or an officially ordered closure, employees can receive short-time work compensation. In this way, the Federal Employment Agency compensates part of their loss of earnings. The employer must apply for short-time work compensation.

With retroactive effect from March 1, access to short-time work compensation has been simplified: it is sufficient for a company to apply for short-time work if 10 percent of a company's employees are affected by lost work.

Previously, one third of the employees had to be affected. In addition, social security contributions are now fully reimbursed by the Federal Employment Agency.

The German Government has introduced incentives for workers to take on second jobs in essential industries, including healthcare, agriculture and the supply of food.

Earnings of people taking on a second job in one of these industries while in short-time work in their main job, will not be credited against their short-time work compensation.

The Ministry of Finance extended the renewal dates of health and motor insurance policies which fall in the period from 25 March to 14 April 2020.

The new renewal date was initially set at 21 April but was extended on 16 April to 15 May.

The Government of India announced a financial package of Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore (US$22 billion) focused on emergency cash transfers to the poor.

The Government of India will provide Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana women account-holders with an ex-gratia of Rs 500 per month for next three months.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme is aimed at expanding access to financial services such as bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance and pensions.

This measure is part of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana scheme (Prime Minister's Poor Welfare Scheme), which allows people to declare unaccounted wealth in a confidential manner and avoid prosecution.

The Government of India will front-load the first instalment of Rs 2,000 due in 2020-21 to farmers under existing PM Kisan Yojana, which is a minimum income support scheme for farmers.

The first payment will now be paid in the first week of April 2020.

The Irish Government established a welfare payment for people diagnosed with COVID-19 or required to self-isolate. Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, or suspected of having COID-19 and required to self-isolate, will be eligible for an enhanced Illness Benefit payment of €350 per week.

This measure is part of the government’s €6.3 billion stimulus package.

To qualify, a person must be self-isolating on the instruction of a doctor or the HSE (Health Service Executive) or diagnosed with COVID-19 and be absent from work and confined to their home or a medical facility.

The enhanced Illness Benefit payment was originally set at a rate of €305 per week but was increased by the government on 24 March. The normal Illness Benefit rate is €203 per week.

The benefit will be paid for a maximum of two weeks where a person is self-isolating and for a maximum of 10 weeks if a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19. If a person has been certified for less than 10 weeks, they will be paid for the duration of their certificate.

Other changes have been made to the ordinary operation of the benefit for the purposes of COVID-19. A person will not have to wait 6 days before applying for the Illness Benefit, as is ordinarily required.

The normal social insurance requirements for Illness Benefit will be waived or the means test for Supplementary Welfare Allowance will be removed for people diagnosed with COVID-19, or required to self-isolate.

Self-employed people will be eligible for the Illness Benefit and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

The Dutch Government has extended the category of self-employed professionals eligible to apply for its 'Temporary Bridging Scheme for Independent Entrepreneurs' (Tozo). Those who live in the Netherlands, but have businesses established in another European Union (EU) country can now apply for income support under the Tozo scheme.

Those who live elsewhere in the EU, but have businesses in the Netherlands, as well as self-employeed professionals eligible for state pensions, can now apply for low-interest business loans under the scheme. Applications are open until 31 May 2020.

The Tozo scheme is aimed at compensating self-employed professionals who expect to earn less than the minimum wage (for the period 1 March to 31 August 2020) as a result of COVID-19. Those who are married or codependent can recieve €1500 net a month for a maximum of three months, while those who are single can get €1050. Those facing cash-flow problems can also request a three year loan of up to €10,517 at an interest rate of 2 percent, with repayments from January 2021.

The government has allocated €3.8 billion to fund the scheme and is providing local authorities €250 million in advance to enable its implementation.

The Dutch Government has eased the criteria for businesses applying for its 'Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment' or NOW (Noodfonds Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid) scheme. Previously, only businesses who expected to lose at least 20 percent or more in turnover from 1 March 2020, could apply for compensation under the scheme to help pay their employees’ wages for up to 6 months.

The Government is now allowing businesses who don't meet this criteria to also apply. This takes into account that some businesses have operating branches that have come to a complete or partial standstill due to the Corona crisis, but may not meet the 20 percent loss in turnover required to be eligible for the scheme.

Under the scheme, businesses can claim up to 90 percent of wages, depending on how much turnover they lose. However there are certain conditions that businesses must met, including additional audits, agreements with unions about job preservation, and refraining from paying dividends or bonuses, or repurchasing own shares for 2020.

The Dutch Government established a subsidy businesses pay employee wages under a new Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment or NOW (Noodfonds Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid) scheme.

Businesses who expect to lose at least 20 percent or more in turnover from 1 March 2020 or onwards can apply for compensation under the scheme to help pay their employees’ wages for up to 6 months. Businesses can claim up to 90 percent of wages, depending on how much turnover they lose.

The scheme replaces the Unemployment Benefit During Short-time Working (WTV or Werktijdverkorting), which was cancelled on 17 March 2020. People who already applied for the WTV permit, will automatically be considered under the new NOW scheme.

Self-employed professionals can now apply for extra income support from local authorities under the Government’s Temporary Bridging Scheme for Independent Entrepreneurs (Tozo) for the period from 1 March to 1 June 2020. The temporary scheme is aimed at compensating self-employed professionals who expect to earn less than the minimum wage (currently €1,653.60 per month for people over the age of 21) over the next three months as a result of COVID-19.

Those facing cash-flow problems can also request a three year loan of up to €10,517 at an interest rate of 2 percent, with repayments from January 2021.

The government has allocated €3.8 billion to fund the scheme and is providing local authorities €250 million in advance to enable its implementation.

The New Zealand Government, as part of a package of COVID-19 tax and regulatory measures, fast-tracked previously planned measures to protect people against predatory lending.

The new rules will mean that borrowers will never have to pay back more than 100 per cent of the loan principal, compound interest on high-cost loans will be banned, and default fees will generally be limited to $30.

The New Zealand Government relaxed rules concerning the payment of pensions and welare entitlements to people overseas to ensure New Zealanders who are unable to return home will receive income.

Ordinarily, payments cease when a person leaves New Zealand. The change will remain in place for six months.

As at 17 April 2020, there were 764 superannuitants and 1,871 beneficiaries overseas with suspended payments.

The New Zealand Government established a scheme to pay essential workers who take leave from work to comply with public health guidance. Money will be paid to employers of essential workers on leave at a rate of NZ$535.80 per week for a full time employee and NZ$350 per week for a part time employee. The employer will pay that money to the employee on leave. Essential workers will be eligible for the payment if they are self-isolating and unable to work from home or they or a member of their household are at higher risk were they to contract COVID-19 (for example, if they are over 70 years of age).

The employer must pay either the employees normal rate of pay if it is less than the government payment or the entire government payment, in which case the employer must make best endeavours to pay at least 80 per cent of the employees usual income.

The scheme will continue for at least the period of time that the COVID-19 Level 4 alert is in place, and will be reviewed after eight weeks.

The New Zealand Government will increase the coverage of the wage subsidy to businesses and self-employed people who are economically affected by COVID19.

When first announced, the subsidy was capped at NZ$150,000 per business. The cap was removed on 25 March 2020. The subsidy will be worth NZ$585.80 per week per full-time employee, and NZ$350 per week per part-time employee. The subsidy will be paid in a lump sum to cover a period of 12 weeks.
Businesses who receive the subsidy must undertake to keep employees in employment for the duration of the subsidy and make best efforts to pay them a minimum of 80 percent of their normal income.

Where an employer is unable to pay 80 percent of the worker’s former income, the employer must pass on at least the whole value of the wage subsidy to the worker. If the worker’s former income was less than the subsidy, they should be paid their former income and the excess applied towards paying other workers 80 percent of their former income.

The subsidy is intended to avoid job losses and bankruptcy of businesses. It is estimated to cost between NZ$9 billion and NZ$12 billion.

The New Zealand Government will increase all main benefit payments by NZ$25 per week from 1 April 2020. The increase will be permanent.

The increase is intended to stimulate the economy and support vulnerable people. This and the other welfare changes announced on 17 March 2020 are expected to cost NZ$2.8 billion over four years.

The New Zealand Government will pay people who are unable to work because they are in self-isolation, are sick, or are caring for dependents who are in either of those situations. The payment will be made through employers, or directly to self-employed people. A full-time worker will be eligible for NZ$585 per week.

The payment is not available for people who are able to work from home. Employers must sign a declaration that they meet the criteria to receive the payment. The payment is estimated to cost NZ$126 million.

On 27 March 2020, following the direction for all non-essential workers to remain at home, the government cancelled the payment scheme because it was designed for a time when fewer workers were in isolation. The government announced that a sick leave scheme specific to essential workers would be developed soon.

The State Bank of Pakistan announced that it would provide soft loans to industries that do not lay off their workers and continue to pay them their monthly salaries.

A soft loan is a loan with a below-market rate of interest.

The State Bank of Pakistan has relaxed the debt burden ratio for consumer loans from 50 percent to 60 precent.

The debt burden ratio refers to a person's capacity to bear the burden of debt, whcih limits their ability to borrow from banks.

This measure will allow about 2.3 million individuals to borrow more from banks.

The State Bank of Pakistan has relaxed the regulatory criteria for restructuring and rescheduling loans.

Loans re-scheduled or restructured within 180 days from the due date of payment will not be treated as defaults. Banks would also not be required to suspend the unrealized mark-up against such loans.

The timeline for classification of trade bills has also been extended from 180 days to 365 days.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Peru established a subsidy for 35% of gross salary for employees who earn up to S1,500 monthly. Only certain businesses eligible and the program has S 600 million budget.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) directed banks to extend the validity of ATM cards that have expired or are about to expire.

SAMA also directed banks not to suspend individuals’ bank accounts.

The General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) has declared that the payment of value-added tax, excise tax, income tax, and the submission of Zakat declarations and the payment of obligations can be postponed for three months.

GAZT will also grant zakat certificates without the 2019 fiscal year restrictions, and will accept instalment requests without applying the condition of advance payment.

GAZT will also postpone the execution of services suspension procedures and financial seizures.

The Singapore Government will co-fund the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages for each local employee for nine months.

There are three levels of co-funding for employers in different sectors.

For employers in the aviation and tourism industry, the government will provide 75% of the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages per local employee. For employers in the food services sector, the government will provide 50% of the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages per local employee. For all other sectors, the government will provide 25% of the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages per local employee.

This measure was introduced as part of the government’s Stabilisation and Support Package, and is intended to help enterprises retain their local employees during the pandemic.

The Government of South Africa announced measures to provide relief for social distress as part of the second phase of its economic response to the virus.

R50 billion is directed toward a six month coronavirus grant for vulnerable families. This increases child support grants by R300 in May and R500 from June to October. All other grant beneficiaries will receive an extra R250 per month for six months.

The government also announced a new Covid-19 social relief of distress grant of R350 per month for six month for unemployed individuals who do not recieve other grants.

The Government of South Africa announced new tax relief measures as part of the second phase of the government's economic response to the coronavirus.

A four month holiday for companies skills development levy contribution, fast tracked VAT refunds and 3 month delay for filing first payment of carbon tax.

Increased turnover threshold for tax deferrals is being increased to R100 million per year and PAYE deferral increased to 35%.

Businesses with a turnover of more than R100 million a year can apply to South African Revenue Service on a case-by-case basis for deferals of their tax payments.

Tax payers who donated to the solidarity fund will be able to claim up to 10% of their taxable income.

Deferals on the payment of excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

The Government of South Africa set aside R400 Million in funding for humanitarian relief for vulnerable households. This will be supplemented by additional funds from the Solidarity fund.

The Government of South Africa a range of income support grants, effective from 1 April.

Grants for older persons and disability grants increased to R1,860. Grants for war veterans and older persons older than 75 years increased to R1,880. Foster child grants increased to R1,040 per child. Care dependency grants increased to R1,860. Child support grants increased to R440 per child.

The Government of South Africa has exempted commercial banks from ordinary competition laws.

The measure is aimed at enabling banks to coordinate approaches to debt relief and similar measures for businesses and people experiencing financial stress.

In particular, banks will be able to coordinate approaches to payment holidays and debt relief, limitations on asset repossessions, and the extension of credit lines.

The Government of South Africa will allow some distressed businesses not to pay into the Unemployment Insurance Fund. This measure aims to keep operating costs low for businesses so that workers are not laid off.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced an additional financial relief package aimed at businesses and individuals. This includes an additional 75 trillion won liquidity injection, on top of the 100 trillion won previously allocated at the 2nd Emergency Economic Council meeting.

Of the 75 trillion won infusion, 35 trillion will be allocated for businesses, and 40 trillion will provide added liquidity to select cash-strapped industries, including the airline, automotive, shipping, and oil refinery industries.

The program also allocates 10.1 trillion won in subsidies and unemployment benefits, of which 0.9 trillion won will go toward small business wage subsidies; 1.9 trillion won to unemployment relief; 3.6 trillion won for the job creation for low-income and young adult groups; and 3.7 trillion won in job seeker benefits and job training.

The Korean government provided a monthly subsidy of 500,000 won (US$400) to freelancers and self-employed workers throughout Korea for up to two months, beginning in April 2020.

The Korean government introduced relaxed requirements for national health care payments for the bottom 40 percent of income earners, and the bottom 50 percent of income earners in areas most affected by COVID-19.

Those eligible will see their national health care contributions reduced by 30 percent for the next three months.

Contributions to the national pension fund will not be suspended, but wage earners will be able to defer their payments over the next 60 months.

This policy was announced as part of a package of measures to protect workers.

The Government of Spain allowed temporary employees who have lost their jobs following the declaration of a state of emergency (since 14 March) to be beneficiaries of an unemployment benefit of around 430 euro per month.

To be eligible, the temporary employment contract must have been for at least two months.

The Government of Spain required all workers in non-essential services to take recoverable paid leave between 30 March and 9 April 2020.

The above obligation does not apply to workers in essential services, workers hired by companies that have applied for or implemented temporary layoff procedures, workers on leave due to temporary incapacity or whose contracts have been suspended on other grounds provided by law, or workers who are able to perform their normal work from home or using any other form of remote working.

The Swedish Government expanded a programme that partially finances short term reductions in working hours of employees.

An employee and employer can agree to reduce the employee’s working hours by 20-80 percent while keeping the employee’s salary at 88-96 percent of their full-time salary.

Normally the difference in cost is shared equally between the employer and the government, but the new programme expands the support from the government to 75 percent of the cost.

The Social Security Board implemented a reduction in the mandatory contributions to social security funds, reducing employer contributions to 5%, and employee contributions to 4%.

The Board also announced a deferral of all contributions for March, April and May by three months, with contributions resuming July 15.

The Office of the Vocational Education Commission announced a state-sponsored vocational training program to support up to 100,000 furloughed workers re-skill to help find new jobs.

Participants will be paid to take part in the program.

Cabinet approved the extension through state banking facilities of emergency low-interest loans for individuals.

This measure was announced as part of the second phase of the Thai Government’s economic stimulus programme, totalling B117 billion.

Cabinet extended the personal income tax deadline to 30 August.

This measure was announced as part of the second phase of the Thai Government’s economic stimulus programme, totalling B117 billion.

The Social Security Board confirmed a payment program for workers affected by COVID-19 shutdown. All support applies retrospectively to workers affected since March 1.

Workers who lost their jobs or have been suspended because their employers have folded can claim up to 50 percent of their wages, up to a limit of B15,000 per month for a maximum of up to 180 days.

For employees whose employers have stopped operating by reason of the government’s order to temporarily close operations, the same B15,000 limit applies, but only for a maximum of 60 days.

Employees forced to resign can claim 45 percent of their wages, up to B15,000 for a 90 day period.

The UK Government announced that the eligibility date for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended from 28 February to 19 March.

The scheme allows employers to be paid for 80 percent of the usual monthly wages of an employee who is on leave due to COVID-19, up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated employer pension contributions on that wage.

The UK Government changed laws to allow workers who have not taken all of their annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 to carry it over into the next two years.

Previously, workers would lose any leave not taken within a year, and employers could be penalised if workers did not take their leave entitlement.

The change is intended to allow people to keep working in the national effort against COVID-19 without losing their leave entitlement.

The UK Government suspended face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits. Payments of Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit will continue as normal.

The UK Government set aside £500 million for local authorities to reduce council taxes on vulnerable individuals and households.

Working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support — an existing tax reduction scheme for people on low incomes or welfare benefits — will be eligible for further reductions in council tax.

The U.S. Congress approved one-time cash payments as part of phase 3 legislation of $1,200 to most Americans making less than $75,000 a year.

Those who are married each receive a payment, and families also receive a $500 check for each child. Sliding scale benefits are available for individuals who make $75-99,000 a year, and those who make more than $99,000 do not receive a check (same for a couple jointly making more than $198,000). Income is based on 2018 or 2019 tax filings. Social Security beneficiaries are included in this program.

The U.S. Congress enacted a range of policies to support college students as part of phase 3 legislation.

The measures include postponement of all student loan and interest payments to 30 September 2020, enabling colleges and universities to continue to pay work-study funds, and special protections for students who had to drop out due to COVID-19. Affected students will not have to pay back any grants they received, and will face no deductions for federal loans or Pell grants for future study.

Additionally, the legislation included a provision that allows employers to pay up to $5,250 of an employee's student loans without that payment counting as income for tax purposes.

The U.S. Congress provided $1 billion in funding to support states in the funding and administration of unemployment insurance as part of phase 2 legislation.

$500 million will go directly to all states for administrative costs and $500 million will go to states with high unemployment, where unemployment rates are 10 percent greater than those of the same time last year. The legislation provides that the federal government will cover 100 percent of unemployment insurance costs (rather than the usual 50 percent match) in these instances of high unemployment.

In addition, the Secretary of Labor will give states guidance in raising employer awareness of benefits to avoid layoffs. States receiving support must ease regulations such as work search requirements.

The Vietnamese government gave responsibility for supervising the implementation of the government’s COVID-19 relief package to the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (VFF), which is a group of mass movements aligned with the Communist Party of Vietnam forming part of the Vietnamese government.

According to the VFF, it will oversee lists of relief recipients under Resolution 42 along with the publication of the lists at the headquarters of local governments.

The Vietnam Social Policy Bank will provide concessional loans to employers for employees’ salaries.

The loans will be interest free and will cover 50 percent of their minimum regional salary thresholds for three months.

The Argentine Government extended the duration of Ahora12, the National Installment Payment Program. People can purchase products included in the program’s list through installment payments, with no interest.

The program is intended to protect against inflation rate in Argentina by avoiding abrupt price increases, and support incomes and wages.

The Argentine Government suspended legal obligations of financial entities to close bank accounts due to lack of funds. Penalty fees charged to individuals owing to late payments have also been temporarily suspended.

The Australian Government announced the Community Support Package — a flexible funding arrangement totalling AUD$200 million to support charities and other community organisations which provide emergency and food relief services.

This initiative formed part of an AUD$1.1billion package to help address the secondary effects of the health and economic crisis caused by coronavirus.

Service providers receiving support included: emergency relief services for vulnerable Australians requiring assistance with bills, food, and clothing; the National Debt Helpline; and Financial Counselling Australia, which was to create a short-form Financial Counselling course to train new financial counsellors.

The Canadian government announced CA$350 million in support to vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organisations that deliver essential services via the Emergency Community Support Fund.

The funding is intended to support a variety of activities, including increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications, providing transportation services, scaling up help lines, and assisting vulnerable Canadians access government benefits.

Charities and non-profit organisations are also able to apply for the 75 per cent wage subsidy that the government announced on 27 March 2020.

The Nepal Government will provide a 10% discount on rice, flour, lentils, salt, sugar, and oil supplies for individuals and families with reduced daily wages due to COVID-19.

The Pakistan Government devised guidelines to make industries and shops operational.

This decision was made at a meeting held at the National Command Centre of COVID-19. It is intended to support the economy while stopping the spread of the disease, and prevent a break-down of lockdown due to hunger.

The federal government has established a youth force called the Corona Relief Tigers to assist the government with its Covid-19 response.

The youth force will go into lockdown areas and distribute food and other necessities among the needy and poor. The group will also offer guidance to people around the country about potential symptoms of the virus and instruct them about quarantining and self-isolation.

The Pakistan Government reduced the price of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs15 per litre.

This measure is estimated to cost Rs 75 billion, and is part of the RS1.25 trillion economic package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan on 24 March 2020 aimed at absorbing the adverse impacts of the pandemic.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Peru imposed payment plans for payments to public telecoms during March and the rest of the national emergency to be extended for up to 12 months. Telecommunications companies will not be compensated by the government and can reduce service quality to those who don't pay.

The Government of South Africa partnered with the solidarity fund and community based organisations to distribute 250,000 food parcels

The Government of South Africa amended the restrictions on the movement of goods during lockdown to allow the transport of essential goods from warehousing sites to essential service providers.

With the exception of liquor, cargo may be transported to ports of entry for exporting. Stores selling harware products and vehicle components may open for the sale of essential goods.

The Government of South Africa, in partnership with Packaging SA, has committed to distributing food vouchers to waste reclaimers who have lost thier livelihoods during the national lockdown period.

Vouchers can be reclaimed at specified retailers. A total of 3925 reclaimers will recieve vouchers.

The Government of South Africa requested that all provinces activate shelters to provide accomodation and meals to people living and working on the streets, including children.

The Government of South Africa classified the food and agriculture sector as essential so that they can continue to function during the 21 day lock down period.

The entire sector is classified as essential, ranging from farms, agro-processing and food manufacturing, to logistics and related services, and wholesale and retail services.

Live auctions of livestock and the sale of other agricultural commodities will continue, but under strict conditions that account for COVID-19.

The Government of South Africa published a list of 22 critical products, including rice, maize meal, milk, canned vegetables and meats, toilet paper, baby formula, and certain hygiene products.

The list will be monitored by the National Consumer and Competition Commission to prevent price gouging.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission provided all mobile users who register before April 30 with 10GB free data.

The program was endorsed by the board of the regulator, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research Fund, who allocated B3 billion for funding.

The UK Government delivered free food boxes containing essential supplies to those at highest risk from COVID-19, who have been advised by the NHS to stay at home for 12 weeks.

Under Directive 19, non-essential services like beauty clinics, karaoke, massage parlors, bars, entertainment venues will continue to remain closed until further notice.

Services like wholesale and retail, lotteries, hotels and other accommodation facilities, and restaurants, sport training facilities, tourist sites are allowed to reopen provided that the safety measures are deployed.

The Government of Vietnam launched an initiative with the information and communications industry to reduce telecommunications charges.

Social security recipients will receive a discount of up to 20 percent.

Telecommunications businesses will increase the maximum speed and data limits of many fixed internet access service packages by up to 50 percent without increasing the price.

The Argentine Government banned evictions for six months. Rental contracts terminating in March will be continued for the time of this period. Evictions due to lack of payment are suspended. Tenants will only be evicted for damage, assault, abandonment of the property, or significant antisocial behaviour during this period.

The Irish Government banned rent increases for residential tenancies for three months. The government can extend the period if necessary.

The Dutch Government has allowed the extension of temporary tenancies, which could previously only be canceled or changed into permanent tenancies.

Under the new 'Temporary Extension of Temporary Leases Act', tenants who are coming to the end of a temporary tenancy can extend the tenancy if they are unable to find another home due to the coronavirus crisis.

The new rules apply to rental contracts ending between 1 April to 30 June 2020, with a possibility to extend. Rental contracts can only be extended once, for a maximum of three months until at least 1 September 2020. If the landlord had made agreements before 1 April, for example to live in, sell, demolish or renovate the house, they do not have to extend the contract.

The Dutch Government has made agreements with mortgage lenders and housing associations that homeowners who cannot afford their mortgage payments will be offered delayed mortgage payments.

Under the agreement, mortgage lenders will not force homeowners to sell their homes until at least 1 July 2020.

The Dutch Government has adopted a guideline for providing shelter and other services to the homeless during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The guideline aims to ensure homeless people are received in the best possible way, while minimizing the risk of infection.

Day and night shelters and services are allowed to stay open to ensure access to beds, sanitary needs, meals and other forms of support. All service providers must follow strict hygiene and physical distancing rules e.g. 1.5 meters of separation in communal places, as well as isolation protocols for suspected infections.

The New Zealand government provided NZ$30 million for delivery of food and welfare assistance by local authorities and Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups.

The funding will go towards food parcels, household goods and services, other welfare services and emergency accomodation.

Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups are groupings of local authorities in a region working in partnership with emergency services, lifeline utilities and government departments, and other organisations.

The funding is in addition to NZ$27 million the government provided on 26 March to NGOs and community groups supporting to vulnerable people.

The New Zealand Government provided motel rooms for homeless people to live in during the country's level 4 COVID-19 alert, which requires people to remain at home except for essential tasks.

The government has obtained 1,000 motel units for homeless or vulnerable people. 500 are currently occupied.

The New Zealand Government has changed tenancy laws to protect tenants from eviction for three months from 26 March 2020. Tenants will only be evicted for damage, assault, abandonment of the property, significant antisocial behaviour, or being 60 days behind in rent. Previously, a tenant could be evicted for being 21 days behind in rent.

Tenants whose tenancies were ending soon will be able to remain in the property for the next three months. Landlords will no longer be allowed to evict the tenant so they or a family member can move into the property.

The change is intended to maintain stable housing for everyone and avoid homelessness during the pandemic.

The Government of South Africa directed that evictions be suspended during the national lockdown.

The Government of Spain provided for extraordinary extensions to lease agreements in some cases.

Where the term of a lease agreement ends between the entry into force of RDL 11/2020 and two months after the state of emergency is lifted, an extraordinary extension may be made to lease agreement at the tenant's request.

If accepted by the landlord, the lease will be extended for an additional six months under the same terms and conditions as the current lease agreement, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

The Government of Spain has allowed the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda and the Official Spanish Credit Institute to establish a credit line of guarantees, fully secured by the state, to allow credit entities to offer temporary financing aid to Economically Vulnerable persons.

This aid will be interest free, have a term of up to six years, extendable for four years in exceptional circumstances, and be earmarked for the payment of rent. It may cover a maximum of six (6) monthly rent instalments.