Covid-19 Bulletins

The Coronavirus disease pandemic has resulted in unprecedented change throughout the country, including new federal legislation with which employers need to comply.  As the situation continues to evolve, it can be difficult to stay on top of the latest developments. Our attorney-reviewed  COVID-19 resources can help make it easier to understand compliance obligations as they occur.

Senate Votes to End COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration Early

FDA Authorizes First At-home Test for COVID-19 and Flu

HIPAA Special Enrollment Requests to Increase Due to Loss of Medicaid Eligibility

Biden Administration Announces Proposed Rule to Expand Access to Birth Control Coverage

How the End of the COVID-19 Emergency Periods Will Impact Health Plans

White House Announces End of COVID-19 Emergency Periods

2022

News Brief - Third Round of Free COVID-19 Tests Are Now AvailableCMS

Highlights the COVID-19 Vaccines that Must be Covered

Employee Quits Reach Record High in March According to Labor Report

CDC Still Recommends Masks on Public Transit Despite Recent Court Order

FDA Limits Emergency Use Authorization for Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Moderna Requests FDA Vaccine Authorization for Children Under Age 6

Fauci Says United States Is “Out of the Pandemic Phase”

News Brief - FDA Authorizes Fourth Pfizer and Moderna Vaccine Doses for Individuals Age 50 and Older and Immunocompromised

CDC No Longer Enforcing Mask Mandate on Air Travel and Public Transit

NEW - EEOC Issues FAQs on COVID-19 and Caregiver Discrimination

COMPLIANCE BULLETIN - NEW - EEOC Issues FAQs on COVID-19 As A Disability Under the ADA

NYC Employers Must Allow Leave for Child Vaccination (1)

FDA Expands Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

CMS Guidance on Health Care Worker Vaccine Mandate

OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 ETS, But Not the Proposed Permanent Rule 1.25.22

CDC Loosens Mask-wearing Guidance for Most of U.S. Population

Agencies Issue FAQs on Coverage of COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

OSHA Vaccination and Testing ETS Effective Date Requirements 1.11.22

Agencies Issue Guidance on Coverage of OTC COVID Tests

NYC Employers Must Allow Leave for Child Vaccination

Supreme Court to Hold Hearing on Vaccine Mandates

2021

Temporary Special Rules for Health and Dependent Care FSAs

Biden Unveils $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Stimulus Stimulus

Biden Signals Ambitious Agenda With Sweeping Executive Order

President Biden Outlines National COVID-19 Strategy

CDC Study Supports Reopening of Schools With Proper Precautions

President Biden Issues Executive Actions Addressing Health Care Access

NY Issues New Guidance on COVID-19 Paid Leave-1

CDC Provides Guidance on Consent Elements and Disclosures for Workplace COVID

CDC Guidance for Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Programs

CDC Urges Public to Avoid Travel

Preparing HR for Future Health Crises

CDC Says Double-masking Offers Additional Protection Against COVID-19

American Rescue Plan Contains Employment-related Provisions

New York Employers Must Allow Leave for COVID-19 Vaccination

President Biden Directs States to Make All Adults Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine by May 1

CDC Relaxes 6-foot Physical Distancing Rule to Encourage School Reopenings

COVID-19 Exchange Special Enrollment Period Extended

DOL Guidance on COVID-19 Relief for Employee Benefit Plans

Paycheck Protection Program Portal Reopens For Second Round of Loans(1)

American Rescue Plan Changes to Employee Leave Under FFCRA

States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus

Face Masks and Other PPE Treated as Deductible Medical Expenses

FDA Says Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe and Effective

COVID-19 Relief Extends COBRA, HIPAA and Other Plan Deadlines

DOL Issues COBRA Subsidy Model Notices, FAQs

IRS Publishes Guidance for 2021 Employee Retention Credit

CDC to Vaccinated Americans - You Can Travel Freely, but Stay Cautious

President Biden Announces Tax Credit for Small Businesses Offering Paid Leave for Vaccination

CDC Updates Outdoor Mask Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People

 

2020

December 21, 2020:

EEOC Issues FAQs on Mandatory Vaccinations for COVID-19

December 18, 2020:

IRS Updates FAQs on FFCRA Tax Credits

December 14, 2020:

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Begins Following Emergency Use Authorization by FDA

December 7, 2020:

CDC Approves Reccomendation for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution (1)

December 3, 2020:

CDC Announces Shorter Quarantine Guidelines After a COVID-19 Exposure

November 23, 2020:

CDC Urges Americans Not to Travel for Thanksgiving

November 11, 2020:

News Brief - Early Data Shows COVID-19 Vaccine Is 90% Effective

November 10, 2020:

Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Requirements

October 8, 2020:

Update - States Update Leave Rules in Response to Coronavirus-10.7.20

October 8, 2020:

Adjusting Paid Leave Programs During the Covid-19 Pandemic

October 9, 2020:

HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (1)

October 5, 2020:

Cold Flu or Covid-19

September 17, 2020:

COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations for Employers

September 11, 2020:

IRS Guidance on Premium Tax Credit Eligibility and COVID-19

September 9, 2020:

EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA Sept 2020

September 1, 2020:

DOL Issues FAQs on FFCRA Leave and Return to School

August 27, 2020:

CDC Updates Guidance for Quarantine After An Exposure to COVID-19

August 24, 2020:

IRS FAQs on COVID-19 Leave-sharing

August 17, 2020:

President Trump Signs Executive Orders on Pandemic Relief

August 12, 2020:

Trump Signs Executive Order Permanently Expanding Telehealth Benefits

August 11, 2020:

2021 Benefits Planning and COVID-19

August 7, 2020:

HR Insights - How Social Distancing is Impacting Workplace Culture

August 6, 2020:

New York Court Strikes Down Some FFCRA Leave Regulations

August 4, 2020:

Supporting Employees Caregiving Responsibilities Post-coronavirus

August 3, 2020:

Remote Verification of Form I-9 Documents Extended to Aug. 19

July 30, 2020:

CDC Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Testing Scenarios

July 24, 2020:

States Update Leave Rules in Response to Coronavirus-3

July 23, 2020:

DOL Releases Additional Guidance on Coronavirus and Federal Employment Laws-1

July 16, 2020:

5 Ways COVID-19 Is Reshaping HR

July 15, 2020:

Employers Must Report Pay for FFCRA Leave on W-2

July 13. 2020:

Post-coronavirus Return-to-Work Plans and EAPs

July 10, 2020:

NY Order and Guidance Affect Employee Leave for COVID-1

July 9, 2020:

In the Know - Application Deadline for Small Business Loans Extended

July 7, 2020:

Federal Judge Upholds HHS Hospital Transparency Rule

July 6, 2020:

Leveraging Benefits in Post-coronavirus Compensation

July 2, 2020:

DOL Issues Guidance on FFCRA Leave for Summer Camp Closures-1

July 1, 2020:

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Overturn ACA

June 30, 2020:

DOL Releases Employee Tool for FFCRA leave

June 29, 2020:

States Update Leave Rules in Response to Coronavirus-6.25.20

June 26, 2020:

Federal Agencies Issue More FAQs on Coronavirus Related Changes for Health Plans

June 25, 2020:

OSHA Guidance for Reopening Nonessential Businesses

June 24, 2020:

EEOC New Updates for Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

June 23, 2020:

Supreme Court Rules Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Violates Title VII

June 22, 2020:

NEW - EEOC Issues Guidance on Agency-Led Charges and Investigations

June 18, 2020:

States Update Leave Rules in Response to Coronavirus-6.10.20

June 17, 2020:

HR Insights - Fostering Inclusivity in a Post-coronavirus Workplace

June 16, 2020:

New EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

June 15, 2020:

PCORI Fees Due July 31, 2020

June 12, 2020:

OSHA FAQs - Face Masks and Respirators in the Workplace

June 11, 2020:

Post-coronavirus Office Checklist

June 10, 2020:

PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2020

June 9, 2020:

HR Insights - Fostering Inclusivity in a Post-coronavirus Workplace

June 8, 2020:

Reference-based Pricing and COVID-19

June 5, 2020:

Congress Passes Bill Amending Paycheck Protection Program

June 3, 2020:

Updating Health Plans for COVID 19 Changes

June 2, 2020:

COVID19 Social MediaToolkit ENGLISH

June 1, 2020:

Common Employment Practices Claims Arising Out of COVID

May 29, 2020:

Chart - Reopening Workplaces During COVID-19

May 28, 2020:

States Update Leave Rules in Response to Coronavirus-5.27.20

May 28, 2020:

Accommodating At-risk Employees Amid COVID-19

May 27, 2020:

In the Know - What to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan

May 26, 2020:

Welcome Back to Work Template - Employee Packet-1

May 22, 2020:

Chronic Conditions and COVID-19 Pandemic

May 21, 2020:

HSA HDHP Limits Increase for 2021

May 20, 2020:

HR Insights - Business Travel After COVID-19

May 19, 2020:

EEOC Delays EEO-1, EEO-3 and EEO-5 Reports Until 2021

May 18, 2020:

New COVID-19 Guidance for Section 125 Mid-year Election Change Rules

May 15, 2020:

In the Know - PPP Guidance for Employees Refusing to Return to Work

May 14, 2020:

IRS Provides More Options for Unused Funds in Health FSAs and DCAPs

May 11, 2020:

What the Coronavirus Could Mean for Health Care Costs

May 8, 2020:

EEOC Update Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

May 7, 2020:

Dependent Care Benefits and COVID 19 Outbreak

May 6, 2020:

Wearing Facial Coverings or Masks in the Workplace During COVID-19

May 5, 2020:

COVID-19 Relief Extends Certain Employee Benefit Plan Deadlines

May 4, 2020:

Federal Agencies Issue COVID 19 Relief for Employee Benefit Plans

May 1, 2020:

DOL Now Fully Enforcing FFCRA Paid Leave Rules for Coronavirus

April 30, 2020:

NY Sues Trump Administration Over FFCRA Paid Leave Regulations-4

April 29, 2020:

Return to Work Plans Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 28, 2020:

CDC GUIDANCE FOR DISCONTINUING HOME ISOLATION AND DEALING WITH AN EXPOSURE TO COVID-19

April 27, 2020:

Congress Passes $484 Billion Coronavirus Relief Package

April 24, 2020:

EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

April 23, 2020:

HRA Eligible Expenses Expanded

April 22, 2020:

Staying Safe While Running Essential Errands During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 21, 2020:

Reopening a Business After the Coronavirus Shutdown

April 20, 2020:

CDC Guidance for Employees Following a COVID-19 Diagnosis or Exposure

April 17, 2020:

Agency FAQs on Coronavirus Related Changes for Health Plans

April 17, 2020:

IRS Extends Deadline for Forms 5500 Due Before July 1 2020

April 16, 2020:

New York's Stay-at-Home Order Extended Through May 15

April 15, 2020:

CARES Act Makes Changes for Retirement Plans

April 14, 2020:

Updating Health Plans for Coronavirus Changes

April 13, 2020:

Unemployment Benefits for Coronavirus under the CARES Act

April 9, 2020:

Treasury Secretary Says More Funding Coming for Small Businesses

April 8, 2020:

DOL FFCRA Regulations

April 7, 2020:

DOL Clarifies Exemptions to Coronavirus Paid Leave Laws

April 6, 2020:

The Look-back Measurement Method and COVID-19

April 3, 2020:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Requires Paid Employee Leave

April 2, 2020:

FAQs on Essential Health Benefit Coverage and Coronavirus

March 31, 2020:

IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credits for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Paid Leave

March 30, 2020:

In The Know - Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package

March 27, 2020:

$2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill Signed Into Law