On March 11, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Governor John Bel Edwards declared a public health emergency for the State of Louisiana pursuant to the Louisiana Health Emergency Powers Act, La. R.S. 29:760 et seq. This is not the first time the Governor has declared a public health emergency for
The President Signs The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Including Tax Changes Intended to Assist Individuals and Businesses Impacted by the Lockdowns of 2020
On December 27th, the President signed into law a second pandemic relief package as part of a larger government funding bill passed by Congress entitled The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CAA”). In March of this year, President Trump signed the first pandemic-related stimulus bill: H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (Public
Tighter pipeline regulations part of second COVID-19 stimulus package
On December 21, 2020 Congress passed the lengthiest piece of legislation in its history—nearly 5600 pages. While most Americans are focused on the provisions of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” related to coronavirus response and recovery, it also included provisions that will directly impact pipeline operators.
The “Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing
Congress Provides More Time To Use FFCRA Paid Leave (at the Employer’s Option)
On Monday, December 21, 2020, Congress passed another stimulus package to provide certain coronavirus relief for individuals and businesses, among other things. One looming question was whether Congress would extend the emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and emergency paid family leave (EFMLA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) into next year?
The
Employers Beware: More Employees May Have to Self-Quarantine After Exposure to Confirmed COVID-19 Individuals
On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, the CDC issued an expanded definition of who is considered a “close contact” for purposes of determining who should self-quarantine for 14-days following an exposure to a COVID-19 confirmed individual. Previously, the CDC defined “close contact” as someone who was within six feet of a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual for
A Landlord’s Dilemma: The Eviction Moratorium
On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) to “consider whether any measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 …”. On September 1, 2020, the CDC, using its quarantine
Additional Guidance Impacting PPP Loan Forgiveness
On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act which provided additional funding. On June 5, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
LOUISIANA* (but not New Orleans) moves to Phase 2! What that means for your restaurant or bar.
The Louisiana Governor has issued a proclamation that permits Louisiana to move to Phase 2, effective June 5, 2020. Restaurants and bars with food permits issued by the Louisiana Department of Health may open at 50% of its State Fire Marshal maximum capacity (including employees in the capacity count), an increase over 25% permitted in
UPDATE: Louisiana Court Closures and Updates in Accordance with COVID-19
The coronavirus continues to adversely impact so many, and the court systems across the country are adapting in kind. Accordingly, the Louisiana Supreme Court has issued orders over the last several weeks to help the court system navigate through these challenging times. Recently, Louisiana’s Governor, in Proclamation JBE 2020-58, lifted the Stay-at Home Order
Louisiana Issues Phase 1 Guidelines for Restaurants and Bars with Food Health Permits
The Louisiana Governor and State Fire Marshal have issued updated guidelines that take effect on May 15, 2020. As of the time of this post, the New Orleans Mayor has not yet issued her formal proclamation, but references are made to those differences with State law that the Mayor has verbally communicated in press conferences.