Global Semiconductor Industry Calls on Nations to Facilitate Essential
Travel by Essential Workers During COVID-19
The undersigned associations express our gratitude to governments around the world that have designatedthe semiconductor and microelectronics industry essential during their response to the COVID-19 pandemic,
allowing continued operation of key manufacturing and operational functions within safety protocols. By
designating semiconductor and microelectronics industry workers “essential,” governments have contributed
significantly to the industry’s ability to continue to produce and deliver critical components for every nation’sessential infrastructure and life-critical equipment such as health care and medical devices, water systems
and the energy grid, transportation and communication networks, and the financial system.
As nations take steps toward returning to business conditions prior to the pandemic, we call on all
governments to provide accommodations for and harmonize policies to safely allow essential
international travel for essential workers. Cross-border mobility in the semiconductor andmicroelectronics industry is vital to maintain critical manufacturing operations producing devices that are thefoundation of our modern economy, countless economic sectors and each nation’s response to this pandemic.
Microelectronics produced in global supply chains enable the medical technology, cloud computing, andremote working capabilities that are invaluable to efforts to defeat this pandemic and more quickly recover.
Global supply chains require cross-border travel by key technical personnel and business continuity decisionmakers to ensure that essential industry manufacturing and operations remain effective. While the industry
continues to implement safety protocols and minimize non-essential travel, incredibly sophisticatedequipment sets and materials usage from a variety of different nations will at times require specialized
expertise that is not present in-country. For example, technicians from a semiconductor manufacturing
equipment company typically must travel to semiconductor factories in other countries to install or repair
specialized tools in situations that are beyond the expertise of the local field office and too complicated tohandle by video conference. Similarly, at times semiconductor-based solutions, such as cloud computing,must be implemented or optimized on-site for the equipment to achieve full capacity.
We call on governments around the world to safely allow such essential travel for essential workers to ensurethat this essential industry can maintain key manufacturing production and operations.
American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Malaysia), Semiconductor Industry Association in
China (CSIA), Semiconductor Industry Association in EU (ESIA), Semiconductor Industry Association in
Japan (JSIA), Semiconductor Industry Association in Korea (KSIA), Semiconductor & Electronics
Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI), SEMI, Semiconductor Industry Association in U.S.
(SIA), Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), Semiconductor Industry Association inChinese Taipei (TSIA)

June 1, 2020