On March 12, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill 2588A. This vaccine leave law, effective immediately, amends the New York Labor Law to grant employees job-protected paid leave to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On March 15th, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf relaxed certain COVID-19 restrictions, including making substantial modification to some of the more restrictive guidelines that apply to the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Effective April 4th at midnight, “self-certified” restaurants, gyms, casinos, malls and theatres in Pennsylvania will be permitted to operate at 75% capacity. Non-self-certified restaurants are required to remain at 50% capacity. The self-certification process involves agreeing to strictly comply to all public health safety guidelines and orders, including the cleaning and mitigation protocols and other operational requirements issued by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which among other things, provides for additional funding and changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and subsequent legislation and executive department rules and guidance.
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On March 6, 2021, the Senate voted along party lines to approve the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The House approved the Senate version on March 10. At the speed of light, President Biden signed the bill into law on March 11. Celebration signing is scheduled for March 12, with a prime-time televised address scheduled for March 11 to inform voters of some of the benefits to be delivered to them as a result of the American Rescue Plan.
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A video replay of the COVID-19: Navigating Forward Webinar Series session, “Lessons Learned from Recent Headlines and Court Rulings on Contract Cases Across Industries,” is available.
On March 9, 2021, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued a new executive order and announced that the state will lift many of its COVID-19-related restrictions on businesses and travel. These eased restrictions will likely remain subject to more restrictive local rules and orders in some jurisdictions, although local leaders are still evaluating their authority in that regard. The state’s masking mandate and other advisories will remain in place.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
Earlier this week, March 9, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance that provides that fully vaccinated people can do the following:
1. Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing;
2. Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing; and
3. Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
For purposes of the CDC guidance, someone is considered “fully vaccinated” 2 weeks after receiving their final COVID-19 vaccine dose. For individuals who receive the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, this means 2 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine. For individuals who receive the J&J/Janssen vaccine, they will be considered “fully vaccinated” 2 weeks after they receive the first and only dose.
Duane Morris has an active team of lawyers who have been engaged in the review and dissemination of COVID related alerts, blogs and advice on various COVID related topics. Please see our website for a list of all available articles and blogs.
If you have any questions or thoughts, please contact Brad A. Molotsky, Sharon Caffrey, Elizabeth Mincer or any of the Duane Morris lawyers you regularly engage with.
Be well and stay safe.
Duane Morris will be hosting the webinar, “Healthcare & COVID-19: From Mandatory Vaccination Issues to Telehealth Contracting,” on March 16, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
This is the fifth session of the Duane Morris COVID-19: Navigating Forward Webinar Series. For more information and the registration link, please visit the firm website.
On March 2, 2021, the Department of State rescinded the previous national interest determination regarding categories of travelers eligible for exceptions under Presidential Proclamation 10143 as related to the Schengen Area, United Kingdom and Ireland. The previous national interest determination covered certain technical experts and specialists, senior-level managers and executives, treaty-traders and investors, professional athletes and their dependents.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On March 1, 2021, Pennsylvania issued updated orders/guidance for COVID-19 safety measures, including the maximum occupancy requirement, telework, close contact in the workplace and interstate travel.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.oc
