The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Companies, Variable Capital Companies, Business Trusts, Unit Trusts and Debenture Holders) Order 2020 (Order) was published in the Gazette on 13 April (and subsequently amended on 14 April 2020 and on 24 April 2020) and is deemed to come into effect on 27 March 2020.
To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.
U.S. Consulates around the world are beginning to reopen and start scheduling visa appointments and it is critical for applicants to be well prepared for their interviews. Recently, the Department of State revised its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), to include a new, heightened adjudication standard for blanket L-1 applications.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.
On June 4, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded deadline extensions it had instituted on March 20 to help employers meet PERM requirements during the pandemic. Unfortunately, employers sponsoring foreign national employees for PERM labor certification-based green cards will for now receive no further accommodations from the DOL during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Susanne Heubel, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.
On Friday, June 5, Duane Morris’ New York office provided meals from Shake Shack to healthcare workers on the front lines at Mount Sinai West. This is part of our firmwide initiative Meals for Healthcare Heroes. This program is funded by donations from Duane Morris attorneys and staff and is meant to honor the Healthcare workers and support local restaurants. This is the second of 15 Meals for Healthcare Heroes events Duane Morris’ COVID-19 Strategy Team will be hosting nationwide.
On June 3, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy unveiled specific safety protocols that certain businesses must follow as they reopen later this month. Specifically, Governor Murphy executed Executive Order 20-150, which will allow nonessential retail and outdoor dining to reopen on June 15. The Order specifies the requirements necessary for such businesses to commence operations on June 15. Governor Murphy also announced that hair salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen on June 22.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPP Flexibility Act), which changes some of the components of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), was passed by the House of Representatives on May 28, 2020, and by the Senate on June 3, 2020. The PPP Flexibility Act is expected to be signed into law soon.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
From 1 July 2020, there will be a new flexible furlough scheme where furloughed employees will be able to return to work on a part-time basis. Full guidance has yet to be issued (proposed for 12 June 2020) but present Guidance has advised that only employees who started furlough on or before 10 June 2020 will be eligible for the new scheme.
To read the full post of this text by partner Nic Hart, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released guidance to building owners that would eliminate much of the shared office space alignments we have seen over recent years in many buildings.
To read the full text of this post by partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
On June 3, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that effective Friday, June 5, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., the state would begin stage two of the its three-stage recovery plan. Maryland began stage one three weeks ago, when Governor Hogan lifted the stay-at-home order that had been in place since March 30, 2020.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled that a force majeure clause in a commercial lease partially excused a restaurant tenant from paying rent during the period of the Illinois state executive order restricting dine-in restaurant operations. This decision is one of the first to test the application of a force majeure clause in the COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
