Recently, the federal Centers for Medical & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidance to further protect those working in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other healthcare facilities, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is precipitating an unprecedented federal response as Congress and the Administration grapple with how to address the economic downturn resulting from efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Numerous industries have been adversely affected, with even stronger impacts on small businesses. In response, Congress and the Executive Branch are negotiating a large financial stimulus package to ease the economic pain.

In response to possible exposure to COVID-19, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued guidance for employers on how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. OSHA’s guidelines rely in large part on previously issued guidance from the Center for Disease Control .

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was approved by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Trump on March 18, 2020. The Act requires that covered employers grant up to 12 weeks of emergency family medical leave and 80 hours of sick leave to employees impacted by the coronavirus.

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has advised of certain measures that it is taking in the area of telehealth so that providers and patients may connect with ease. 

The United States Department of Labor has issued frequently asked questions for coronavirus-related workplace issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). We discuss some of the key points for employers to be mindful of in this difficult time. 

As a follow up to our prior alert, the New Jersey Assembly has passed 29 measures intended to protect New Jersey residents, small businesses, and local governments during the coronavirus crisis. The State Senate would need to pass the bills and Governor Murphy would have to sign them before they become law. 

Earlier this week, a rumor made the rounds that a forthcoming Presidential Executive Order would impose a nationwide mandate that all employees work remotely. While the rumor proved baseless, it raised questions about manufacturers’ abilities to comply with environmental permit obligations in the event of a COVID-19 precipitated operational shutdown due to federal or state mandates or workforce depletion resulting from widespread illness.