Duane Morris – Page 17 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 by Duane Morris

“Close Contact” Redefined by CDC and Implications for Employers

There are many circumstances where an individual may have a greater risk of exposure to COVID-19. One of them is “close contact,” as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a person who has COVID-19. Historically, for purposes of COVID-19, close contact has been defined being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 consecutive minutes. That standard was changed last week by the CDC. The change has important implications for employers.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

October 19, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Jersey Updates Its Moratorium on Residential Utilities and Their Ability to Pursue Non-payment

Last week, New Jersey updated its guidance on COVID-19 related charges for most utilities in Executive Order 190.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

October 19, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Jersey Announces Updated COVID-era Sports Rules and Regulations

As of October 12, no-contact practices, contact practices, and competitions for sports defined as “Low Risk”, “Medium Risk”, and “High Risk” are permitted in both outdoor and indoor settings. Low-risk, non-contact sports include golf and tennis. Medium- and high-risk sports include baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football hockey, judo, boxing, karate, wrestling, rugby, and group dance.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

October 15, 2020 by Duane Morris

FINRA Extends General Postponement of In-Person Arbitration and Mediation Hearings, Provides Stats on Use of Remote Hearings

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FINRA has extended the postponement of all in-person arbitration and mediation hearings scheduled through January 1, 2021. However, if all parties and arbitrators agree to proceed in-person based on their own assessment of public health conditions, and applicable state and local orders allow, a case may proceed with an in-person hearing provided that the participants comply with state and local orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

October 14, 2020 by Duane Morris

New York Governor Issues One More (and One Final?) COVID-Related Executive Order Tolling Statutes of Limitations

On October 4, 2020, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.67, which further tolled New York statutes of limitations until November 3, 2020, and extends a toll first instituted by Executive Order 202.8 on March 20, 2020. Executive Order 202.67 is the latest order extending the initial toll of New York’s statutes of limitations that Governor Cuomo ordered at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020 by Duane Morris

Small Business Administration Releases New Interim Final Rule on PPP Loan Forgiveness

On October 8, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a new interim final rule detailing additional revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process and loan review procedures. In addition, the SBA released Question 52 to its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on October 7, 2020, which addresses the deferral period for borrower payments of principal, interest and fees.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, which summarizes the key points from the interim final rule and the update to the FAQs, please visit the firm website.

October 14, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Jersey Announces CARES Act Grant Funds for Small Businesses, Restaurants and Families

On October 13, 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans to distribute $112 million of the state’s CARES Act money via grants to small businesses and struggling families.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

October 14, 2020 by Duane Morris

Federal Judge Dismisses COVID-Related College Tuition Refund Claims

Since the global pandemic forced most college campuses to resort to online instruction in March 2020, college students across the country have filed more than 150 lawsuits against their schools seeking refunds of tuition and related fees.

This month, a federal judge in Boston made the first dispositive ruling in such a case against Northeastern University – tossing out most of the claims asserted by the students in a putative class-action matter.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Deanna Lucci, please visit the Duane Morris UpdatED Blog.

October 8, 2020 by Duane Morris

Small Business Administration Releases Procedural Notice for Businesses Undergoing Changes in Ownership

On October 2, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a procedural notice that details the steps that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan borrowers and lenders must take when a borrower is engaging in a transaction in which a change in ownership will occur.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, which summarizes the key points from the notice and the actions that a PPP loan borrower should take (and a purchaser or investor should ensure the borrower takes) in an M&A transaction, please visit the firm website.

October 7, 2020 by Duane Morris

COVID-19 Business Income Loss Suit Dismissed by California Court

Last week, Judge Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California dismissed a declaratory relief and bad faith action against Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut seeking coverage for COVID-19 business income losses. Plaintiff, a Los Angeles-based restaurant significantly impacted by COVID-19, held a policy with Travelers that it alleged provided coverage for COVID-19 losses.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Gina Foran, please visit the Duane Morris Insurance Law Blog.