On May 26, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued interim guidelines for COVID-19 antibody testing in clinical and public health laboratories. The guidelines contain recommendations for clinical and public health laboratories regarding: choice of test and testing strategy; individuals who test positive for COVID-19 antibodies; and additional considerations on the use of antibody tests.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
Notwithstanding the multi-layered measures taken by national governments to support their respective economies, the COVID-19 pandemic is threating the existence of an increasing number of businesses of all sizes.
As economies start to emerge from lockdown, many businesses will urgently need to look for sources of liquidity, whether in the form of debt or equity. This will create opportunities for both existing and new investors, particularly those that can transact quickly.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
The new Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010), which focuses on small businesses and restaurants in particular, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act,was introduced last week by Reps. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota and Chip Roy, R-Texas, and is designed to extend the 8-week period under which loan recipients could spend PPP money to 24 weeks while helping correct other provisions that would provide more flexibility to small businesses in the hospitality realm.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to reopen its offices on or after June 4, 2020. The USCIS temporarily suspended its in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus . USCIS field offices will send notices by mail to applicants and petitioners with rescheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the temporary closure.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Teodora Purcell, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Law Blog.
On May 27, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that effective May 29, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., the state would move forward with the completion of stage one of its three-stage recovery plan. Maryland began stage one of the recovery plan two weeks ago, when Governor Hogan lifted the stay-at-home order that had been in place since March 30, 2020, and permitted certain businesses to reopen with limitations.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
Last week the UK government introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament.
The main objective of the Bill is to provide businesses with the flexibility and space needed to continue to trade during this difficult time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, the provisions around the new moratorium and the new restructuring plan proposal have been under consideration for a few years.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Linda Crow, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.
In further clarification to pharmacists and pharmacies around the country, on May 19, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an advisory opinion determining that pharmacies in the United States, regardless of state or local requirements, are authorized to order and administer COVID-19 diagnostic tests under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor unveiled a final rule that updates the “fluctuating workweek” method of calculating overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The final rule allows employers to include incentive-based payments such as bonuses, premium payments and other additional pay of any kind. The DOL believes this rule will allow employers and employees to better utilize flexible work schedules, especially as workers return to work following the COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
Currently the Government of Vietnam still maintains suspension of entry for expats, including people with a Vietnamese visa exemption certificate. A potential date to allow foreigners to enter Vietnam again has not been formally announced by the Government yet, though further information is expected imminently.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Giles Cooper, please visit the Duane Morris Vietnam Blog.
s of May 26, 2020, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney amended his earlier business closure and stay-at-home orders and will now permit up to 10 people to line up to order at restaurants and food establishments. Dine-in service is still prohibited, and face coverings and social distancing guidelines are required.
The amendment follows Gov. Tom Wolf’s announced plans last week to move all Pennsylvania counties, including the five-county Philadelphia region, to the yellow phase of reopening and lift stay-at-home orders by June 5.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
