NYC to Require Proof of Vaccination for Indoor Activities

In what may be a preview of things to come throughout the U.S., New York City became the first jurisdiction in the nation to announce that it will require individuals to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter all restaurants, fitness centers and indoor entertainment venues. Enforcement of this new mandate is expected to begin on September 13. (Read More)

PPP Loan Forgiveness to Be Made Even Easier for Small Businesses

Some good news to report for certain small businesses that have been issued loans pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Beginning next week (August 4 to be exact), those that have borrowed $150,000 or less in PPP proceeds can apply for loan forgiveness directly through an online portal to be launched by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This option streamlines the forgiveness process by taking private financial institutions—the ones that have handled most aspects of the PPP since its inception—out of the mix. (Read More)

Cal/OSHA Reverses Course on Workplace Masking

Earlier this week, Michelman & Robinson, LLP reported that the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board readopted Cal/OSHA’s revised COVID-19 prevention emergency temporary standards (ETS). In doing so, Cal/OSHA decided to phase out physical distancing requirements and place certain conditions upon mask mandates. (Read More)

Cal/OSHA Set to Relax Certain COVID-Related Workplace Restrictions

Last Thursday (June 3) in a unanimous vote, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board readopted Cal/OSHA’s revised COVID-19 prevention emergency temporary standards (ETS). These regulations as proposed phase out physical distancing requirements, but still maintain or only slightly modify many existing pandemic-related workplace restrictions. The next day (Friday, June 4), the Board stated it may refine the ETS in the coming weeks to align its mandate with California’s anticipated widespread reopening on June 15. (Read More)

Mask Mandates in the Workplace: OSHA Looks to Be in Lockstep With the CDC

As an increasing number of Americans become vaccinated against COVID-19, cases across the country are plummeting. In fact, the most recent news is particularly encouraging: as of this week, coronavirus cases are down in every state in the country—this for the first time since the pandemic began.

Approximately 60 percent of individuals in the U.S. have already rolled up their sleeves and received at least one shot. With that, severe illness and hospitalizations are also in steep decline. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance, having recently announced that, in most cases, fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside. (Read More)

American Rescue Plan Signed into Law

As anticipated, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” into law today (Thursday), after the sweeping COVID-19 relief package passed both the House and Senate.

The law goes a long way toward turning the corner on the pandemic and kickstarting the U.S. economy left suffering in its wake. As mentioned in a previous alert by Michelman & Robinson, LLP, individuals, state and local governments, small businesses, and/or schools can look forward to the following, among other things: (Read More)

Senate Approves $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Bill

After a dose of suspense and a 24-hour-plus voting session that bled into the weekend, the U.S. Senate passed the $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” to provide much-needed relief to individuals, state and local governments, small businesses, and schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for final approval, before being sent to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. (Read More)

New $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Bill Passes House, Moves to Senate

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive $1.9 trillion relief bill advanced by President Joe Biden and his administration. Dubbed the “American Rescue Plan,” the legislation now heads to the Senate, where Democrats are hopeful it will reach President Biden’s desk for signature before March 14 (the day unemployment aid programs are set to expire). (Read More)

A Trend Toward COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Coverage

Based upon a couple of recent rulings, the insurance coverage lawyers at Michelman & Robinson, LLP anticipate that additional courts may give a broader meaning to the phrase “direct physical loss” as it applies to insurers' business interruption coverage responsibilities stemming from COVID-19-related losses. (Read More)

State Tax Treatment of Forgiven PPP Loans

For purposes of federal income taxation, existing federal law excludes from gross income any amounts of loans made pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program that are forgiven. This is great news for borrowers, to be sure. But the question remains: how do the states treat forgiven PPP loans? (Read More)