McDonald’s employees in Chicago and Los Angeles have sued over unsafe, COVID-19-related working conditions, claiming the burger giant failed to mandate OSHA/CDC social distancing guidelines and advise employees when their coworkers were diagnosed with the virus.
Federal Reserve Board Further Expands Main Street Lending Program
On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program (the “Program”) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Jersey Lifts Stay-At-Home Order as Non-Essential Businesses are Primed to Reopen
On June 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced he would lift Executive Order 107 signed on March 21, 2020, which placed unprecedented restrictions on non-essential businesses in New Jersey because of the COVID 19 pandemic.
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
On May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released two interim rules regarding (i) the forgiveness process of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), and (ii) the SBA’s process for reviewing loan applications and loan forgiveness applications, as well as the responsibilities of borrowers and lenders (collectively, the “Interim Rules”).
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA)
On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). The PPPFA makes changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established under the CARES Act (signed into law on March 27, 2020).
New York State Department of Health Interim Guidance for Construction Projects during the COVID-19 Emergency
On May 13, 2020, the New York State Department of Health issued a model plan and guidance for reopening and operating construction sites in New York State during the Covid-19 Emergency. There is also an overall guide from the State entitled: NY Forward Reopening Guide that contains more general information. The following are links to the Master Guide, the Short Guide, Model Plan and Reopening Guide all prepared by the State of New York.
OSHA Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of COVID-19 Goes Into Effect Today, May 26, 2020
The new guidance memorandum from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) regarding employers’ obligations to record confirmed cases of COVID-19 goes into effect today and rescinds OSHA’s prior guidance on this topic.
Emergency Drug Distributions During COVID-19
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has altered business operations worldwide and brought the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries to the forefront of international focus.
Standard of Care and Re-Opening Construction Projects
Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York are moving to allow stalled construction projects to restart. For employers on job sites, be they owners, construction managers, general contractors, trade contractors or suppliers, the risks posed by coronavirus on reopened construction sites are concerning.
Draft CDC Guidelines on Reopening for Child Care, Schools and Day Camps, Faith Communities, Vulnerable Workers, Restaurants and Bars and Mass Transit
CDC developed draft guidance to assist employers in reopening while making reasonable and effective efforts to contain the corona virus that spreads COVID-19. See infra While the draft guidelines are targeted to services that attract groups of people in close contact, there are some general principles that will help many commercial offices and businesses to reopen safely.