The California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) has announced that beginning this Wednesday, December 15, California will reinstate its statewide indoor mask mandate for all people of all ages in all public places regardless of vaccination status. The order is being issued in response to a spike in COVID cases in the last few weeks; cases have increased by nearly 50% since Thanksgiving. Continue reading “California Reinstates Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate in All Public Places Regardless of Vaccination Status”
Barrier Face Coverings Standard Approved by ASTM International
On February 15, 2021, ASTM International, a voluntary standards-setting organization, approved a new national standard for barrier face coverings that establishes minimum design, performance, labeling and care requirements for disposable and reusable face masks. Manufacturers should take full advantage of this new guidance as it implements a universal standard for the evaluation of barrier face coverings utilized by a majority of Americans every day.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
CDC Issues New Guidance for Fully Vaccinate Individuals – Visiting and the Relaxing of Masks and Social Distancing
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.
Students and Employees – Guidance and Considerations for Masks on Campus
On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety. On January 29th, OSHA issued new comprehensive guidance.
This recent guidance is intended to inform employers and workers outside of the healthcare industry and to assist them in determining up-to-date and appropriate control measures to implement.
To read the full text by Duane Morris attorney Jonathan Helwink, please visit the Duane Morris UpdatED Blog.
Changes to CDC’s Mask Guidance Highlight Compliance Challenges for Employers
On February 10, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Guidance for Wearing Masks and Improve How Your Mask Protects You and Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 resource pages.
Pursuant to President Biden’s January 21, 2021, Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, on January 29, 2021, OSHA issued new comprehensive COVID-19 guidance. According to this guidance aimed at employers outside of healthcare, employers should provide all workers with face coverings at no cost, unless their work task requires a respirator.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
No Mask, No Travel: Federal Penalties in Place for Failure to Wear Masks on Planes, Public Transportation and Ride-Hailing Vehicles
On January 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a federal public health emergency order requiring all persons to wear a mask over their mouth and nose when traveling into and within the United States. Persons who fail to comply with this order, which took effect February 1, 2021, will be in violation of federal law and could face criminal or civil penalties.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
CDC Updates Face Mask Recommendations
On November 10, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask guidance and asserted that wearing face masks not only protects the public but also protects the mask wearer. Health experts have emphasized the benefits of mask-wearing to prevent infection and spread of the COVID-19 virus for months. But, until recently, the CDC has largely encouraged the public to wear face masks in order to protect other people.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
New Jersey Executive Order Requires Masks to Be Worn Outdoors
On July 8th, 2020, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy announced that he will be signing an executive order that requires face coverings to be worn outdoors at all times where social distancing is not possible.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
OSHA issues Updated Guidance on Wearing Masks in the Workplace
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the use of masks in the workplace.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
New Jersey and New York Governors Mandate Masks and Other Measures to Protect Workers and Citizens
Governors Cuomo and Murphy announced additional measures intended to protect workers and citizens in New York and New Jersey.
On April 12, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16, which will require employees of essential businesses who are present in the workplace to wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. This order goes into effect April 15, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.
On April 8, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 122, which created new restrictions and requirements applicable to certain employers across the state, specifically those involved in warehousing, manufacturing, essential retail businesses and construction. In addition to closing all nonessential construction, the order mandates various new requirements employers must implement such as policies for employees to wear cloth face coverings and gloves. Executive Order 122 went into effect on April 10 at 8:00 p.m.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.