ALERTS CARMODY’S COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER NOVEMBER 12, 2021 Carmody Resources The rapid spread of COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) is creating unprecedented challenges for all of us as circumstances are changing virtually every day. Our attorneys are monitoring these developments to help schools, employers, businesses, and municipalities stay up to date on the issues and best practices. We will continue to provide updates and encourage you to check back regularly. For more information, please contact us! Employment November 12, 2021 – OSHA and CMS Issue New COVID-19 Requirements November 12, 2021 – President Biden Lifts Country-Specific Travel Bans and Adopts a Global Vaccine-based Policy October 13, 2021 – Vaccine Incentives and Surcharges in Health Plans: The HIPAA Police Weigh In September 22, 2021 – Governor Lamont’s Order Mandating Vaccines for Certain Workers September 14, 2021 – Employer Guidance on Biden’s “Path Out of the Pandemic” August 17, 2021 – New OSHA and DOJ Guidance Permit Mandatory Workplace Vaccination Policies August 3, 2021 – CDC Announces Revised Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals May 11, 2021 – To Mandate or Encourage, That is the Question of the Day April 13, 2021 – Long-Haulers: Workers with lingering COVID-19 side effects create new challenges for employers March 17, 2021 – Incentives for COVID-19 Vaccines and Extra Time for FSAs February 11, 2021 – The 2021 Legislative Session Started – Be Aware of Possible New Employment Laws December 1, 2020 – Executive Order 9N – Increased Penalties for Businesses September 16, 2020 – Updates on Connecticut Travel Advisory and FFCRA Regulations August 13, 2020 – Executive Memoranda on Unemployment Compensation and Payroll Taxes July 27, 2020 – Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7JJJ Creates Workers’ Compensation Rebuttable Presumption July 6, 2020 – Employers Have New Opportunity to Make Mid-Year Suspensions and Reductions of Safe Harbor Contributions to 401(k) Plans in 2020 July 2, 2020 – Connecticut’s Travel Advisory June 16, 2020 – Reopen CT – Phase 2 Begins Tomorrow, June 17, 2020 April 16, 2020 – OSHA COVID-19 Issues Enforcement and Injury Reporting Guidance April 10, 2020 – CHRO Provides Extensions for Certain Deadlines April 9, 2020 – Executive Order 7V, DECD Guidance for Essential Employees & CDC Interim Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers April 8, 2020 – Updates to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act April 3, 2020 – IRS Issues 66 FAQs Addressing Tax Credit & Required Documentation under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act April 2, 2020 – Connecticut Department of Labor Shared Work Program Overview March 27, 2020 – Families First Coronavirus Response Act March 27, 2020 – COVID-19 Webinars March 25, 2020 – COVID-19: Immigration Related Travel Restrictions & Suspension of Services March 25, 2020 – Department of Homeland Security Provides Flexibility In I-9 Compliance Requirements March 24, 2020 – Coronavirus Concerns for Healthcare Providers and Organizations March 19, 2020 – The Families First Coronavirus Response Act March 18, 2020 – Coronavirus Update March 16, 2020 – COVID-19 Update March 13, 2020 – Advice For Employers Amid Growing Coronavirus Concerns Corporate/Business Services June 10, 2020 – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 May 15, 2020 – Remote Member Meetings for Connecticut Nonstock Corporations During the COVID-19 Emergency May 14, 2020 – SBA Releases Guidance on Good Faith Certification of Need for PPP Loans April 24, 2020 – PPP & EIDLs Refilled April 9, 2020 – Summary of Executive Orders, Federal Tax and Trade Bureau Orders, and Related Regulatory Guidance Affecting the Liquor Industry in Connecticut April 4, 2020 – Loans and Tax Incentives for Businesses Under the CARES Act March 30, 2020 – COVID-19 Contract and Insurance Issues March 26, 2020 – DECD First Come, First Served Bridge Loan Program March 23, 2020 – Executive Order 7J & DECD Guidance March 23, 2020 – State and Federal Business Assistance and Tax Relief March 21, 2020 – Executive Order 7H Bankruptcy June 22, 2020 – The Small Business Reorganization Act (“SBRA”): Small Business Options for PPP Loan Forgiveness June 22, 2020 – Commercial Tenant Bankruptcy: A Summary as State Courts Reopen Data Privacy and Cyber Security March 17, 2020 – COVID-19: Privacy and Cybersecurity Risks of Telecommuting Real Estate and Land Use May 11, 2020 – Land Use and Building Permit Tolling May 8, 2020 – Update Regarding Property Tax Relief Programs Adopted by Various Municipalities May 1, 2020 – Town Adoptions of Real and Personal Property Tax Payment Relief Programs April 17, 2020 – Changes to Property Tax Appeals Under Executive Order No. 7Z April 17, 2020 – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Guidance on Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN) April 14, 2020 – Executive Order No. 7X re: Protections for Residential Renters Impacted by COVID-19 April 2, 2020 – Remote Notarization Procedure March 30, 2020 – COVID-19 Contract and Insurance Issues March 23, 2020 – COVID-19 Real Estate Update March 23, 2020 – Executive Order No. 7I(19) re: Relief of the Procedural Requirements for Land Use and Other Municipal Offices Litigation March 30, 2020 – COVID-19 Contract and Insurance Issues March 25, 2020 – Update to Connecticut Federal and State Court Changes – as of March 25, 2020 March 24, 2020 – Connecticut Court Changes in Response to COVID-19 Intellectual Property March 27, 2020 – COVID-19 and the Current Rules at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Education and School Law July 7, 2020 – Independent Schools: Mandatory Compliance with Federal Laws After Accepting Federal Loans March 9, 2020 – Coronavirus Concerns For Educational Institutions Alternative Dispute Resolution March 31, 2020 – Online Dispute Resolution Healthcare Law April 29, 2020 – Liability Risks for Telemedicine Healthcare Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic April 20, 2020 – State and Federal Financial Relief for Skilled Nursing Facilities April 20, 2020 – Provider Relief Payments Part 2 April 20, 2020 – Provider Relief Payments April 8, 2020 – Considerations for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Long-Term Care Facilities During COVID-19 April 6, 2020 – Protections from Civil Liability for Healthcare Providers and Financial Protections for COVID-19 Patients General Updates March 23, 2020 – A Message from Our Managing Partner Other Resources and Guidance Connecticut Coronavirus Portal Contains a daily count of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Connecticut (currently by county) and access to other important links including, but not limited to, Emergency Orders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Portal Contains a daily count of confirmed Coronavirus cases nationally and access to other important information and guidance. World Health Organization (WHO) Portal Contains updates regarding Coronavirus and guidance at a global level. State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Updates Connecticut State courts began hearing limited matters on March 10, 2020. Prior to April 15, 2020, the state courts were only hearing “Priority 1 Business Functions,” which included matters such as criminal arraignments, juvenile detention hearings, civil protection orders, etc. The courts are now hearing limited civil matters. Federal Court Updates Restriction On Visitors To Courthouses Court Operations Under The Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 Order Suspending Grand Jury Proceedings and Trials The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut is restricting access to the court to individuals who have traveled to highly affected areas. Further, all civil and criminal jury selections and trials scheduled between now and May 15, 2020 have been continued until a further order of the court. U.S. Small Business Administration Low-Interest Federal Disaster Loans The S.B.A. has announced that it will work with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small business and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus. A Message from Mark S. Hayward, SBA Interim District Director Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guidance OSHA Guidance On Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 COVID-19 Portal Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) COVID-19 Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce In addition to providing a portal with general information, OSHA has put together guidance with important information for employers regarding preparing their workplaces for the Coronavirus. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidance EEOC Announces Agency-Wide Telework What Employers Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19 The EEOC has announced that it is implementing any agency-wide telework policy, meaning that all EEOC employees will be working remotely effective March 17, 2020. It has begun conducting EEOC charge intake over the phone and will be processing all requests for hearings and appeals electronically through its portal system. The agency has also provided guidance regarding the effect of the Coronavirus on the Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts. Connecticut Commission On Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) Guidance CHRO Website Until further notice, all in-person meetings and hearings with the CHRO and the Office of the Public Hearing are being cancelled. The agency will conduct all mediations and fact-finding conferences by phone or video conference where possible. The CHRO will also conduct charge intake appointments by phone and video conference where possible. Sexual Harassment Training Deadline Extended For COVID-19 Related Reasons The CHRO has extended the deadline for sexual harassment training 90-days for COVID-19 affected employees. Employers will be required to explain that they were unable to complete the training requirement for those affected employees because of current COVID-19 restrictions. Examples of such restrictions may be lack of access to technology including computer/the internet, illness of the employee or other unforeseeable circumstances. Extensions to Respond to CHRO Charges For COVID-19 Related Reasons The CHRO will also allow Respondents an additional 30 days to submit their answers and Schedule A Responses for COVID-19 related issues. United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Guidance USDOL Guidance For Preparing Workplace for Coronavirus USDOL FAQS Regarding The Fair Labor Standards Act USDOL FAQS Regarding The Family And Medical Leave Act USDOL Announces Temporary Exemptions From Affirmative Action Requirements The USDOL has provided general guidance and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the FLSA and FMLA in light of the pandemic. Further, the agency has initiated a temporary pause in Job Corps Center operations until April 14, 2020 and indicated that the break may extend beyond that date. It has also announced a three-month exemption and waiver from some of the exemptions of the affirmative action program requirements. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Notice of Rights Poster FCCRA requires that employers give notice to employees of their rights under the law by posting this poster in a conspicuous place. Employers should e-mail the poster to employees who are working remotely or post it on their intranet. There is currently no deadline for posting, however, employers should do so as soon as possible. Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Guidance Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Federal Unemployment Stimulus Programs As of March 12, weekly unemployment claims and account status inquiries must be filed and checked respectively online. United States Treasury Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic In addition to providing a general Portal, the United States Treasury has announced that it will provide give taxpayers an additional 90 days until June 15, 2020 to pay their 2019 taxes. Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Announcement Effective immediately, the DRS has extended the filing deadlines for certain annual tax returns from April 15, 2020 to June 15, 2020 in order to support businesses during the pandemic. Connecticut Supreme Court Briefing Deadlines Extended For Supreme And Appellate Courts Effective immediately, the briefing deadlines for all cases before the Connecticut Supreme and Appellate Courts have been extended 30 days. The Connecticut Supreme Court has also announced that it will reschedule oral arguments scheduled to take place between March 24 and April 2. 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