COVID-19
Stay informed about the impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania Businesses
FEMA changes COVID-19 funeral assistance policy
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has changed its COVID-19 funeral assistance policy to ease the burden of proving a death was COVID-related.
read moreEffective June 26, Pennsylvania law gives employees protected leave for organ donations
Effective June 26, 2021, Pennsylvania’s Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA) provides job-protected leave to organ and tissue donors for purposes of donation surgery, as well as preparation and recovery. To qualify, employees must meet standard Family Medical...
OSHA issues new COVID-19 safety rules for health care sector employers
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it will soon issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that mandates health care sector employers take certain actions to protect their employees and patients.
read moreTwo key labor regulators clarify rules for employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates and incident reporting
In recent weeks, both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised or issued new guidance related to COVID-19. The revisions are intended to encourage vaccination by removing potential liability for adverse outcomes from vaccination from businesses while retaining reporting requirements for work-related COVID-19 infections.
read morePennsylvania increases gathering limits and State Registrar offers guidance for FEMA funeral benefits
On May 11, 2021, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that event and gathering maximum occupancy limits will be increased to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings effective Monday, May 17, 2021.
read moreStart date, application information and clarifications for FEMA funeral assistance program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it will begin taking applications for its COVID-19 funeral assistance on April 12, 2021. All applications must be made by phone by calling 844-684-6333. The application call center will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST). Applicants will then submit supporting documentation online, by mail, or by fax.
read moreFEMA announces details of COVID-19 funeral assistance program
On March 24, 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced long-awaited details of its COVID-19 funeral assistance program. In the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress allocated funds for FEMA to provide financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses.
read morePennsylvania eases mask order to match Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance
On March 22, 2021, Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam announced that she had amended the state’s mask order to align with new interim recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
read morePennsylvania relaxes gathering limits again, including for funeral services
For the second time in two weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf has relaxed Pennsylvania’s limits on attendance at gatherings, such as funeral services. On March 15, 2021, the Governor announced that indoor events and gatherings are limited to 25% of maximum capacity and outdoor events and gatherings are limited to 50% of maximum capacity, regardless of the size of the venue. Although a formal order has not been issued yet, the Governor said that these changes are effective starting April 4, 2021.
read morePennsylvania revises COVID-19 restrictions, including limits on gatherings
On March 1, 2021, Gov. Tom Wolf announced changes to some of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation measures, including easing restrictions on events and gatherings, like funeral services.
read morePa. Alcohol Industry: Old Tools, New Laws During COVID-19
Although online shopping and delivery had already been the norm for many households, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated e-commerce and dramatically changed the way many consumers purchase their goods and services, including alcohol. With restrictions on...
Some mortuary workers are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Pennsylvania’s distribution plan
On January 8, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) issued a revised COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan, which now includes “mortuary” workers among those currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
read moreTemporary COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on January 4, but prior limits on gatherings will remain
With COVID-19 cases “raging across Pennsylvania” to an all-time high and straining health care providers, Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine issued orders on December 10, 2020, which impose significant restrictions on activities to mitigate the impact of the virus over the next three weeks.
read more$900 billion economic relief package – support for businesses and healthcare providers
After much negotiation, and a few twists and turns, on Sunday, December 27, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the Relief Act) into law. In addition to providing Congress with a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the Relief Act provides nearly $900 billion in coronavirus-related aid that will be allocated among numerous designated programs.
read moreEEOC issues COVID-19 vaccination guidance
With the advent of the COVID-19 vaccine, employers must wrestle immediately with the decision as to whether to mandate the COVID-19 vaccination. Employers may impose a vaccination requirement on employees subject to certain legally required exemptions. Specifically, exemptions to a mandatory vaccination policy include a refusal to be vaccinated based on a disability or medical condition, or a sincerely held religious belief.
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Lancaster
280 Granite Run Drive, Suite #300
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 556-1000
Fax: (717) 441-3810
Harrisburg
4250 Crums Mill Road, Suite #201
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 216-5505
Fax: (717) 547-1900
Malvern
100 Deerfield Lane, Suite #240
Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: (484) 328-8500
Fax: (484) 713-5241