Video replays of the webinar, “State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration,” are available.
Webinar: State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration
Duane Morris will hold a webinar event, “State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration,” on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Please visit the event website for more information and to register.
Florida Industry Group Urges State to Limit Legal Liability for Florida Businesses
On November 30, 2020, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) released a 74-page report compiled by its Restore Economic Strength through Employment & Tourism (RESET) Task Force, highlighting a number policy proposals intended to help Florida’s economy “rebound from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and any similar future economic slowdowns.”
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
New York’s Construction Master Guidance Requires COVID-19 Precautions for All Projects
Governor Andrew Cuomo has released interim guidance regarding construction in New York state. These guidelines apply to both nonessential construction businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen and essential construction businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
New York Issues Updated Guidance on the Definition of “Essential Business” and “Non-Essential Business”
On April 9, the Governor issued and updated Executive Order (202.6) to provide further guidance on determining whether a business is “Essential” (and thereby permitted to operate) or “Non-Essential” (and, thereby NOT permitted to operate).
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
Florida Governor Clarifies Terms of First Statewide Safer-at-Home Order
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ first statewide order restricting travel outside the home went into effect April 3, 2020, with a number of provisions still subject to reasonable debate as to their effect. To clarify the impact of Executive Order No. 20-91, the Office of the Governor released a set of FAQs.
To read the full text of this Alert, which describes a number of the key takeaways from the clarifying document, please visit the firm website.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Orders Marylanders to Stay at Home Except for “Essential Activities” as of 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020 – All Prior Executive Orders Remain in Place
On Monday morning, Governor Hogan signed an Amended and Restated Executive Order to take effect at 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020 that requires Marylanders to stay at home except that (i) Marylanders may conduct or participate in “Essential Activities,” and (ii) staff and owners of essential businesses and organizations (as defined by a prior interpretive guidance of the governor’s office of legal counsel) may travel between their homes and such essential businesses and organizations and may travel to and from customers to deliver goods or perform services of such essential businesses and organizations. The stay-at-home order does not apply to persons whose residences have become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, or to persons experiencing homelessness, but governmental and other entities are strongly encouraged to make shelter available for such persons to the maximum extent practicable. Continue reading “Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Orders Marylanders to Stay at Home Except for “Essential Activities” as of 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020 – All Prior Executive Orders Remain in Place”
Construction Activity in the Covid-19 Era: Essential Activity or Non-Essential Activity?
As more and more states and localities shut down entire industries and order workers and citizens to stay home and shelter in place, many companies are asking “How does this affect my operations?” In this’ post, we focus on the Construction Industry and how it fits into the Federal, state and municipal mosaic of what is being defined as “essential”.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
COVID-19 Shows Fed Cannabis Policy is Unsustainable
[…]The COVID-19 pandemic is drastically altering our lives but difficult times are able to expose many truths, including the understanding that legalization and safe access to cannabis is critical, especially during a crisis. […]
Although states are restricting access to public places and prohibiting gatherings, many governors have designated cannabis dispensaries as an “essential service.” […]
“Opponents of federal legalization are likely to argue the categorization was merely a natural extension of the law in states that have already legalized medical marijuana to treat certain conditions, and that the uniqueness of the COVID-19 situation limits the ‘essential’ designation to that very urgent and unprecedented fact pattern,” Seth Goldberg, attorney and partner at Duane Morris LLP told mg.
To read excerpts of this article and for a link to the full text, please visit the Duane Morris website.
No State-Wide Shut-Down (Yet) in Texas, But Various Cities/Counties Issue “Stay Home” Orders
As of March 24, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott had not ordered a statewide shelter-in-place order. However, numerous Texas cities (or their related county governments) such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Austin and El Paso and close-in suburbs have issued “Stay Home – Work Safe” or “Stay Home – Stay Safe” orders. The orders command citizens of those particular jurisdictions to stay in their residences and state that they may leave only for essential activities, or to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. Each of the orders is continued to various dates in April or until further notice.
Essential businesses typical include (but are not limited to) essential healthcare operations, essential governmental functions, essential critical infrastructure, essential retail such as grocery stores and pharmacies, food cultivation, financial institutions, mail and delivery services, hardware and supply stores, funeral services, providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations, news media, and child care, among others. Critical infrastructure may include construction, depending on the purpose.
On March 25, 2020, President Trump declared that a major disaster exists in Texas and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts for COVID-19.