Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 21, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Federal Response to COVID-19 Relaxes Telehealth Restrictions

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and social-distancing mandates, the federal government enacted legislation to encourage the use of telehealth services. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Preparedness Act), which includes the Telehealth Services During Certain Emergency Periods Act of 2020 (Telehealth Act), was signed into law on March 6, 2020. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

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

April 21, 2020September 3, 2020 by Duane Morris

Class Action Suits Against Single Insurers at Start of Coronavirus Business Interruption Litigation

As the coronavirus cases start peaking in at least some parts of the United States, the American courts are beginning to experience mounting cases relating to claims against businesses for coronavirus infections and against insurers for alleged business interruption coverage. A few weeks ago, some well-known restaurants in the United States commenced litigation against their insurers over claims for insurance coverage stemming from business interruption. These individual cases will raise a number of issues whether there is direct physical loss to covered property and whether the virus exclusions in the policies bar coverage. As a host of other types of businesses have followed by filing a number of individual suits in several states against their insurers. Last week, however, a new form of litigation has been filed with multiple class action insurance coverage lawsuits being brought by alleged representatives against single insures who are claimed to have written business interruption policies to a number of businesses in given areas or nationwide.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorneys Dominica C. Anderson, Philip R. Matthews and Daniel B. Heidtke, please visit the Duane Morris Insurance Law Blog.

April 20, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Extends Stay-at-Home Order Until May 8, but Eases Some Restrictions

On April 20, Governor Tom Wolf extended Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order until May 8, 2020.

The governor indicated he would be using a region-by-region approach that is data-driven and will include strict social-distancing measures as he considers reopening parts of Pennsylvania.

However, he announced three actions that offer some flexibility to businesses, including permitting curbside pickup of orders at state liquor stores, allowing auto sales online and opening what he said were limited construction activities statewide. More specific guidelines will be released at a later date.

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

April 20, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

California Order Provides COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Essential Food Workers and Tightens Sanitation Standards

On April 16, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-51-20, which requires companies with 500 or more employees to provide supplemental paid sick leave benefits to food service industry workers. The order covers workers on farms, grocery stores, restaurants and food delivery services who have continued to work on-site during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the order applies to employees and companies who are not covered by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The order is effective immediately.

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

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 by Duane Morris

Overview of Federal and State COVID-19 Relief Programs for New York

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal, state and local governments, through both legislative and executive action, have enacted or ordered a broad array of financial measures to mitigate the adverse economic effects experienced by businesses and nonprofit entities.

To read the full text of this Alert, which will identify and explain the economic programs established by the federal government, New York state and New York City to help businesses in New York that are experiencing financial loss due to COVID-19, please visit the firm website.

April 20, 2020September 4, 2020 by Duane Morris

COVID19 Planning – Ramping Up vs. Flipping a Switch: Getting Back to Business as Usual?

Duane Morris will host a webinar, “COVID19 Planning – Ramping Up vs. Flipping a Switch: Getting Back to Business as Usual?,” to be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Duane Morris attorneys Meagan E. Garland, Teodora D. Purcell and Brooke B. Tabshouri will be the speakers. For more information and a link to register, please visit the firm website.

April 20, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Taking Depositions During COVID-19 Emergency

With 95% of the country presently subject to stay-at home orders due to COVID-19, many litigators are considering whether and how to take depositions in the coming weeks. Federal court responses have varied, from blanket extensions of civil deadlines to encouraging remote depositions. Whether it is advisable or even permissible to depose a witness under current circumstances will depend on several factors, including the jurisdiction, the deponent, and the anticipated substance of the deposition.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris attorney Danielle Bagwell, please visit the Duane Morris Products Liability Blog.

April 20, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Compliance Delays for Mexico’s Anti-Money Laundering Law

The Financial Intelligence Unit (Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera) of Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) (SAT) issued a communication relating to potential delays in the compliance of the provisions set forth in the Mexican Anti-Money Laundering Law (Ley Federal para la Prevención e Identificación de Operaciones con Recursos de Procedencia Ilícita) as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

April 20, 2020 by Duane Morris

UK Furlough and Holiday Update

HMRC has now provided us with some much needed clarity on taking annual leave while on furlough. This has been an update to the Employees Guidance, not the Employers Guidance (as at the time of this post).

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Nic Hart, please visit the Duane Morris London Blog.

April 20, 2020 by Duane Morris

Focus on SARS-CoV-2 and Animals Continued by International Scientific Advisory Group

On April 7, 2020, the Informal Advisory Group on COVID-19 and Animals of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) conducted the fifth in a series of conference calls concerning issues involving the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its effect on animals and animal-related issues. SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific nomenclature for the coronavirus that causes the human illness known as COVID-19.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner John Simpson, please visit the Duane Morris Animal Law Developments Blog.