A Different Approach

With the emergence of COVID-19, businesses are urgently expanding the use of remotely working employees. Many employers now face the unique challenge of finding a way to effectively utilize employees working remotely to maintain significant business productivity.

Gov. Tom Wolf has temporarily suspended the Funeral Board regulation requiring resident interns to restart their internship if it is interrupted for 30 days or more. Until the COVID-19 emergency ends, interns are not required to restart their internship unless it is interrupted by 120 days or more.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant disruption in the economy, and construction companies are not spared. The first wave of disruption came from government orders that shutdown the economy. For the past week, Saxton & Stump’s Construction Law team has been fielding calls and advising on which projects can continue with work, requesting exemptions, working across state lines, and addressing specific project-related disruptions to manpower and the schedule.

On April 1, the Department of Labor issued regulations regarding implementation of paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The temporary rule, effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, clarifies some of the questions raised by the FFCRA.

Businesses throughout the country continue to experience revenue reduction and business disruptions related to mandated shutdowns and slowdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are looking into their options to recoup economic losses attributed under business interruption or income loss provisions contained in commercial property loss policies.

Gov. Tom Wolf has granted a temporary waiver of the 10-day rule. The length of time a funeral home may retain a body is automatically extended to 30 days, until the COVID-19 emergency ends. If a funeral home believes it will hold a body for more than 30 days, the funeral home must seek permission from the Funeral Board in the same manner as under the 10-day rule.

Death care services remain classified as life-sustaining businesses and may continue physical operations under Gov. Tom Wolf’s order indefinitely closing non-life-sustaining businesses across Pennsylvania and his stay-at-home order effective in 33 counties through April 30.

In anticipation of the upcoming compliance deadline, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently published updated guidance to help employers determine obligations under the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA). The guidance, by way of an expanded Questions and Answers document, gives additional insight into whether and how small businesses may claim an exemption to the FFCRA’s paid leave provisions.

President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which provides $2 trillion in relief, including large sums of cash to hospitals and broader access to testing for individuals. The 880-page Act includes economic stimulus money ranging from individual rebates and small business loans to increased unemployment support and tax breaks. T

In addition to the potential relief available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Pennsylvania businesses may have two other potential avenues for relief – SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA)