Duane Morris – Page 61 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 25, 2020 by Duane Morris

U.S. Department of Education Issues Additional COVID-19 Guidance in Form of FAQs

In response to pressing questions from institutions, on March 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) offered guidance permitting temporary flexibility and clarifying how higher education institutions whose activities are impacted by COVID-19 can continue to comply with Title IV of the Higher Education Act and its implementing regulations (“Title IV”) . Read our client alert on the guidance.

To read the full post by Duane Morris attorney Tanvi Shah, please visit the Duane Morris UpdatED Blog.

March 24, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Award Contracts to Convert Existing Buildings into ICU-like COVID-19 Treatment Facilities, Starting in New York

During a press conference on March 20, 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) discussed plans to assist state-level COVID-19 relief efforts. USACE support will include the conversion of existing, underutilized buildings such as hotels, college dormitories and potentially large spaces into ICU-like treatment facilities. Specifically, state governments will nominate and lease facilities, USACE will award construction contracts for building modifications, FEMA and/or HHS will provide necessary supplies, and then state governments will provide staffing.

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

March 24, 2020March 25, 2020 by Duane Morris

Prepare For Additional Revolver Draws During Current Crisis

In the face of these unprecedented and uncertain days of COVID-19, financially stressed borrowers are expected to take every measure available to them to keep their businesses afloat. For borrowers with revolving credit lines, this has included drawing down unused availability to ensure immediate, and sometimes future, access to needed liquidity. In ordinary circumstances, a revolver provides a borrower flexibility to address changing cash flow needs on a cyclical or seasonal basis. Today, an untapped revolver may be a lifeline for a business struggling with the loss of cash flow.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Rick Hyman, please visit the Duane Morris Banking and Finance Law Blog.

March 24, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Modifications to Pa. Life-Sustaining Businesses List

Earlier this afternoon, March 24th, the Department of Commerce and Economic Development updated their List of Life-Sustaining Businesses.

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

March 24, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Mix of Statewide Emergency Rules and Local Advisories Dominate Florida’s Reaction to COVID-19

Florida is noticeably absent from the list of high-density states that have implemented stay-at-home orders due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (including New York, California, Illinois and others). Still, the state and localities have issued a number of orders and advisories aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. In addition, the state has relaxed a number of specific business restrictions in an effort to both encourage adherence to limitations on business operations and to counteract the detrimental economic effects of business closings.

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

March 24, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

New Jersey Orders Citizens to Stay at Home Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 21, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 107 mandating that New Jersey citizens stay home and that nonessential businesses close, with limited exceptions, until further notice. Governor Murphy also issued Executive Order 109, indefinitely postponing all elective surgeries and invasive medical procedures as of March 27, 2020. These restrictions are the state’s latest measures to curb the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

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

March 24, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Critical Updates on the Status and Operations of the Philadelphia Courts Amid the Covid-19 Crisis

By Emily Kowey Roth

As of March 23, 2020 at 3 p.m., access to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Civil and Orphans’ Court E-filing System has been restored. All writs of summons received through the E-filing System will be considered docketed when acknowledgement of receipt is sent by email. However, Orphans’ Court and Civil emergency petitions must still be filed over-the-counter in person as specified in Emergency Administrative Order No. 10 of March 17, 2020 (“Order No. 10”). Continue reading “Critical Updates on the Status and Operations of the Philadelphia Courts Amid the Covid-19 Crisis”

March 24, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Statutes Compelling Coronavirus Business Interruption Insurance Should Face Constitutional Constraints

We previously wrote about the growing likelihood that insurance companies would face claims for business interruption and contingent business interruption insurance claims as their insureds looked to cope with the broad effects of the novel coronavirus outbreak and response. Heating Up: New Orleans-Based Oceana Grill Seeks Insurance Coverage for Coronavirus-Caused Business Interruption. Now, state and federal governments are beginning to consider ways that they might compel such coverage.

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

March 24, 2020September 3, 2020 by Duane Morris

U.S. Department of Justice Files Civil Complaint for COVID-19-Related Fraud

By Brett M. Feldman and Jessica Linse

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, law enforcement officials throughout the country have publicly committed to aggressively combatting pandemic-related fraud. Those pronouncements have translated into action focused, at least at this early stage, upon frauds which might impact consumers’ health and safety. The first federal civil enforcement action took place on Saturday, March 21, 2020. On that date, the U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, filed the first civil enforcement action against a COVID-19 related fraud. Prosecutors sought an injunction shutting down a website, which purportedly offered to provide “free” coronavirus “vaccine kits” for a $4.95 shipping and handling fee. This request for injunctive relief, which resulted in a temporary restraining order pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345, is likely an omen of more to come. Continue reading “U.S. Department of Justice Files Civil Complaint for COVID-19-Related Fraud”

March 23, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Massachusetts to Close Nonessential Businesses and Issues “Stay at Home” Advisory

Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order closing all businesses and organizations in Massachusetts that do not provide COVID-19 essential services from 12:00 p.m. on March 24, until 12:00 p.m. on April 7. The order applies to physical workspaces and facilities and encourages businesses to operate remotely to the extent possible.

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