COVID-19
Stay informed about the impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania Businesses
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down stay on OSHA ETS; vaccine mandate to go into effect in early 2022
On December 17, 2021, in an opinion issued late Friday night, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ended the court ordered pause on OSHA’s vaccine mandate. Previously, the Fifth Circuit had put the vaccine mandate (OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard) on hold, and all federal litigation was consolidated to the Sixth Circuit. The Sixth Circuit’s ruling last Friday means that the OSHA ETS is now poised to go into effect with mandatory compliance in January 2022.
read moreCourt grants national injunction on federal contractor COVID-19 vaccine mandate
On December 7, 2021, a federal judge in Georgia granted a request for injunction that paused the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. Unlike an earlier case from the District of Kentucky that paused the mandate in only a few states, this recent order is applicable to the entire nation.
read moreFuneral Board COVID-19 waivers ending early
On August 5, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced a schedule for the expiration of COVID-related waivers and suspensions of professional licensing regulations. Funeral Board waivers will now expire on August 17, 2021.
read moreFEMA 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.
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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
Charleston
151 Meeting Street, Suite #350
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 414-5080
Fax: (843) 580-8303