Posts Tagged ‘Coronavirus’

This page features updates and new information from previous articles. And just like that…all three prongs of the broad federal vaccine mandate issued as part of the Path Out of the Pandemic initiative – specifically those applicable to federal contractors, certain healthcare workers, and employers with 100 or more employees – have been blocked by multiple federal courts. Here’s a rundown of where things stand as of today: Initially blocked in 3 states by a Kentucky judge on November 30, 2021, then blocked in all states by a Georgia federal judge on December 7, 2021. Initially blocked in 10 states… read more »

COVID-19 Update: Save Small Business Fund A new small business grant program offering $5,000 grants has just been announced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The name of the grant program is the Save Small Business Fund. The application for a $5,000 grant goes live at 3 PM on Monday, April 20th on the website: www.savesmallbusiness.com. All that is needed to complete the application is the company’s W-9 form. The grant application is short and takes approximately 10 minutes to fill out. Eligibility Criteria: 1) To be eligible, the business must have between 3 and 20 employees. (This includes owners… read more »

The Secretary of the Department of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, signed an order to protect critical workers employed at businesses authorized to continue in-person operations during Governor Wolf’s closure order.  The order provides protections to keep employees at life-sustaining businesses safe and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order requires employers to: Provide masks for employees and mandate that they be worn at all times during work, except when taking a break to eat or drink. (Employees may wear their own masks if the employer finds them to be compliant with the Department of Health and CDC guidance.)Prevent large… read more »

The USDA and its Federal government partners have programs to provide temporary and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The programs assist recovery for rural residents, for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, hospitals, etc. The programs offer assistance with financial issues, management, training, technical support, and state and local compliance. Follow the link below for a resource matrix to identify funding opportunities in the CARES Act and other federal resources. https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf For updates on immediate action that the USDA is taking in response to COVID-19, visit usda.gov/coronavirus. For information and news from the CDC on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.gov. If you need… read more »

COVID-19 Update: Your Business May Be Eligible for Federal Loans CGA Law Firm has created a COVID-19 Business Resource Portal on the CGA website with consistently updated information on government loan offerings. The site has easy-to-read charts, articles on specific topics, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and links to targeted loan applications. Follow the links below to learn more about loans that can bring relief to your business. For small businesses (under 500 employees) in need of capital to cover payroll, utilities, rent, insurance, and loan payments:  Paycheck Protection Program. The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is enabling small… read more »

COVID-19 UPDATE: Pennsylvania Court Closures as of April 8, 2020 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declared a statewide judicial emergency which has resulted in courts closing to the public.  Many hearings have been cancelled or transferred to remote technology although some will still occur.  Delinquency cases, dependency cases and some criminal cases are still proceeding at this time.  However, civil cases have largely been put on hold.   This article deals primarily with civil cases and is not geared towards family law or criminal matters.  Family law, Orphans Court, and criminal matters may be proceeding as planned Unless your attorney has informed you otherwise.  On… read more »

COVID-19 Update: Changes to FSA Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation, and Safety Net Programs USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are available by phone to continue helping agricultural producers with loan servicing, program signups, and other important actions. The FSA is also loosening the loan-making process and adding flexibility to servicing loans to provide credit to producers in need. FSA programs and services include: Farm loans;Commodity loans;Farm Storage Facility Loan program;Conservation programs; Safety net programs (including 2020 signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs);Disaster assistance programs (including signup for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus);Acreage… read more »

COVID-19 Update: Facing a Lack of Cash Flow As the Chair of the CGA Bankruptcy Department, I am already getting calls from individuals and small businesses about how to handle the lack of cash flow. Businesses have been forced to close, and those that are open are doing less business. Individuals have been told to go home, and unemployment benefits (if you are eligible to receive them) are not the same as your regular paycheck.  The question I am being asked is “what do I do now?”  The easy answer is to take care of yourself and your family, and stay away from… read more »

On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” which provides free COVID-19 testing, increases Medicaid funding, and expands food security initiatives and support for those impacted by the COVID-19 public emergency.  The law also provides paid leave and enhances access to unemployment insurance for employees. The key provisions impacting employers are summarized below.   Emergency Paid Sick Leave ActThe section of the law entitled “Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act,” requires employers to provide employees with paid sick leave for absences related to COVID-19 until December 31, 2020. Covered Employers: Defined as private employers with fewer than 500 employees and government… read more »

COVID-19 has created many urgent questions for business clients, including how to handle commercial contracts.  This article outlines the issues involved and provides general information to aid in certain decisions.  Under the laws, there are multiple frameworks that might apply to your situation – explicit contract language, the UCC and the common law of contracts.  An attorney can help you determine which of those frameworks applies to your circumstance. Each situation is unique and this article does not provide any specific advice. Force Majeure Your commercial contract may contain a force majeure provision.  A force majeure provision may excuse or delay certain contractual obligations during… read more »