On March 30, 2021, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 234, which will increase outdoor gathering limits and increase capacity for seated events at large venues. The Order also clarifies indoor capacity limits for banquet halls and similar venues. The changes will begin on April 2, 2021.
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 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.
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On January 21, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety. Pursuant to the executive order, OSHA issued guidance on January 29, 2021 that includes extensive information for structuring and implementing an effective COVID-19 Prevention Program to protect their workforces.
The guidance states that it is “advisory.” However, failure to follow the guidance may expose employers to, among other risks, OSHA citations and substantial penalties for violating the OSHA general duties clause. In this regard, the executive order calls for increased OSHA enforcement and the guidance is a starting point for such enforcement.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
As COVID-19 cases escalate dramatically in California, health officials in the state announced a Regional Stay Home Order on December 3, 2020, intended to help flatten the rapidly rising curve and to assist hospitals in managing intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. The order severely restricts business activities, prohibits gatherings and requires masking and physical distancing. It modifies the state’s initial stay-at-home order issued by the governor in March and builds on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
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In the midst of a dangerous winter surge of COVID-19 cases and resulting hospitalizations in Delaware, Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health announced a new stay-at-home advisory strongly recommending that all Delawareans avoid gathering indoors with anyone outside their household from December 14 through January 11.
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The District of New Jersey granted a motion to dismiss a restaurant owner’s purported class action lawsuit seeking business interruption coverage by analyzing: (1) the New Jersey Governor’s Executive Order and (2) the policy language, in a commercial all-risk property damage policy, that excluded coverage for losses covered by viruses.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Sheila Raftery Wiggins, please visit the Duane Morris Insurance Blog.
On November 16, 2020, New Jersey Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 196, which further tightens restrictions on various types of gatherings, both indoor and outdoor. This new order comes on the heels of Executive Order 194, which created additional restrictions for certain industries, and Executive Order 192, which created a uniform set of safety restrictions for all businesses in the state. Executive Order 196 essentially decreases indoor and outdoor gathering limits in response to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On November 17, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced new measures in response to the recent uptick in statewide COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions. The governor issued an executive order imposing capacity restrictions on restaurants, bars and other indoor establishments. The Maryland Department of Health also issued a series of orders restricting visitation at hospitals and nursing homes. The statewide orders carry the force of law and violations are punishable by fines up to $5,000 and up to one year in prison.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On November 12, 2020, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy executed an Executive Order allowing municipalities and counties the option to impose curfews on all non-essential businesses as early as 8:00 p.m. Municipalities and counties do not have to impose restrictions, but they will now have the power to do so if they choose.
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 October 28, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 192, which requires employers to implement certain safety measures designed to protect employees, customers and others against exposure to COVID-19. While most states and municipalities recommend similar safety measures, New Jersey is one of the few states to mandate such requirements. New Jersey employers and businesses are advised to implement the required measures by November 5, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., the effective date of the executive order.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
