The rapidly evolving impact of the coronavirus outbreak around the world and its characterization as a pandemic risk is overwhelming business leaders, human resource professionals and rank-and-file employees. Robinson+Cole’s dedicated Coronavirus Response Team stands ready to help businesses navigate the complex legal, financial and regulatory impacts caused by this unprecedented challenge.

Among other things, R+C’s professionals can help businesses address developments and/or issues associated with:

• Rules and restrictions on reopening businesses
• State requirements on masks and other PPE
• Business and/or personal travel restrictions including State Executive Orders regarding businesses and individuals
• Mandated or voluntary shelter in place quarantines or isolation directives, whether by government health entities or businesses entities themselves
• School closures and the effect on employee attendance
• Advice related to the Cares Act and other federal laws and guidance related to COVID-19
• Wage and hour considerations for exempt, non-exempt and temporary employees
• Paid and unpaid sick leave entitlements under federal, state and local law as well as under existing employer policies and benefit plans
• Policy development, collective bargaining obligations, communication, and legal issues regarding telecommuting, layoffs, shutdowns, reorganizations, and other steps that may be taken to minimize the risk of exposure in the workplace 
• Investigating an actual or potential exposure event
• Health and safety matters
• Preparing for possible cash flow issues by reviewing/establishing appropriate lines of credit
• Impact of short- or longer-term layoffs/remote work arrangements on status of H-1B
• Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance for telecommuting employees and/or when offices are fully or partially closed to workers
• Impact of federal and state legislation on businesses’ response to coronavirus
• Health coverage of virus-related claims 
• Section 1135 Waivers of Health Care Laws for hospitals and other providers
• Health care licensing and reimbursement guidance for facilities and providers in responding to COVID-19
• Telehealth service delivery and coverage during COVID-19
• Agency approvals for staffing and treatment plans to address COVID-19
• HIPAA issues regarding requesting medical documentation or information and communications with patients (e.g., for telehealth purposes)
• Expedited contracting for essential COVID-19 goods and services
• 401(k), retirement plan and health and welfare plan issues, furloughs and layoffs 
• Possible state law protections for employees who are out of work due to being a first responder or other related situations

• Applicability of “force majeure”  or “impossibility” clauses in supply, customer, conference, event and other contracts 

• Applicability of “material adverse change” clauses in agreements

• Issues regarding designation of so-called “essential” businesses and services

• Advice regarding cyber-attacks by those seeking to take advantage of situation caused by coronavirus

For the latest CDC guidance, click here.
For the latest public available coronavirus tracking information, click here.

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Content presented is based on information available at the time each article was published.