Category Archives: Covid-19 News and Resources

To see articles written by our attorneys on a range of topics, just use the links to the right.
The Federal OSHA Mandatory Vaccination Requirements Are Here!

If you recall, President Biden announced in September that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) would be issuing a mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to have a mandatory vaccination policy to minimize the spread of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace and protect unvaccinated employees. OSHA released the emergency temporary standard…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 11/05/2021

OSHA Lists 11 Ways for Employers to Protect Unvaccinated Workers Against Covid-19

New federal guidance issued August 13, 2021 reinforces that all employers should implement multi-layered interventions to protect unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The District of Columbia and all major surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia are considered to be areas of substantial or high transmission (as of September 15,…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 09/20/2021

Can I Require My Employee To Be Vaccinated?

It was a relief when Pfizer and, then Moderna, released that they had both developed an effective Covid-19 vaccine.  We saw a light at the end of the tunnel.  The state and local governments have released plans for the roll-out of the vaccines to those populations most in need, starting with health professionals, first responders,…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 01/07/2021

New Year, Same Pandemic

As we begin 2021, we are still faced with Covid-19 affecting every part of our lives.  While hope is on the horizon as vaccines are being produced and distributed, we must continue to proceed thoughtfully as we face these challenges. Besides the changes that the vaccine will bring, there are several important updates from the…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 01/07/2021

Maryland Governor and Montgomery County Executive Impose New Covid Restrictions on Many Local Businesses

Effective November 10, Governor Hogan, by Executive Order, has imposed or restored certain Covid restrictions against the ability of Maryland businesses to fully operate.  The Governor’s Order also allows counties to impose more restrictive regulations: Montgomery County did just that by imposing a more restrictive regulation (also effective November 10). Both Orders primarily limit business…READ MORE

Author: Peter E. Ciferri 11/11/2020

Protect Your Brand: Concerns in the Time of COVID-19

COVID-19 is affecting every part of our lives in some way or another.  Protecting the brand that you created should not be overlooked.  To be competitive and recognizable in the market place, you have no doubt expended resources to build your brand and its related goodwill.  Whether by common law or through federal registration, trademark…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 08/31/2020

The Importance Of Keeping Your Physical Office Location After The COVID-19 Pandemic

During these times of COVID-19 related business and office quarantining and closures, companies and their employees are learning new ways to be efficient and productive.  Remote working, while certainly a pre-COVID-19 option, has become the new normal.  Workers have become adept at completing tasks and projects away from the office, using platforms like remote-desktop for…READ MORE

Author: Michael A. Faerber 07/20/2020

Reopening Your Business: What If I Have to Shut Down Again?

By now, most business owners have read the emerging scientific news that the COVID-19 pandemic may linger for one to three years. Alongside this “lengthening” of the curve, the media is filled with coverage of the political, social and economic pressure to re-open and significant concerns from employees that their workplaces will not be safe…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 07/16/2020

Reopening Your Business: 9 Steps To Reduce Labor Risks

Re-opening your business is the hot topic as local and state governments relax COVID-19 shelter in place orders. Regardless of industry, most small businesses need to address core labor issues and evaluate what additional industry-specific concerns should be addressed. Both valid and specious employment claims are already on the rise due to a combination of…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 05/28/2020

Delays In Commercial Lease Negotiation Resulting From COVID-19: Address These Types Of Issues Up Front In Your Leases

Any of you that are in the process of negotiating a new lease, or considering negotiating a new lease in the near future, should expect some issues regarding delays.  Tenants are finding themselves tentative to pull the trigger on signing leases due to uncertainty of their business moving forward in the short term. Additionally, there…READ MORE

Author: Michael A. Faerber 04/21/2020

The “Disappeared” Husband In Tiger King

If you’re like me, you’ve seen every episode of the documentary Tiger King on Netflix. As an animal lover and estate planning attorney, the show covered a lot of issues that interest me. The biggest estate planning issue centered around the disappearance of Carole Baskin’s husband, Don. It struck a lot of people as highly…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/16/2020

Possible Insurance Claims In The Face Of COVID-19

All of us who are trying to figure out how best to help our companies survive and perhaps even thrive in the coronavirus crisis should be sure to review and evaluate the insurance policies we carry to protect our companies from unexpected loss.  While none of us fully understand the extent of what the current…READ MORE

Author: Donna M. McMillan 04/13/2020

Are Subdivision Approvals And Other Entitlements Affected By COVID?

The sudden onset of COVID-19 has led every branch of State and Local governments scrambling to impose appropriate regulations and policies aimed at balancing public safety and avoiding a massive backlog.  Each local planning and zoning authority, board of appeals, and permitting department already has a unique set of local rules for conducting business, but…READ MORE

Author: Peter E. Ciferri 04/13/2020

Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits: Tips for Small Businesses

Emergency legislation has made unemployment benefits an important financial lever for small businesses faced with closing the margin between expenses and revenues. Labor costs often make up more than half of gross sales for service businesses, so payroll is one of the first places many owners are looking to be able to manage through the…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/13/2020

Montgomery County Business Relief Program Unveiled

An information page for the  Montgomery County Public Health Emergency Grant Program (PHEG) went live this week. Local businesses, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, may be eligible for grants of up to $75,000 from a $20 million fund. $5 million is reserved for restaurants and retail establishments. The catch is that local businesses must show…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/13/2020

Going Digital

We are now living in a profoundly new world where many workplaces are being transitioned to teleworking with limited planning or time to test systems.  This rapid shift brings challenges that must be addressed and resolved from both a legal and operations standpoint.  Confidential Information and Data Privacy Issues.  One of the major issues is…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/03/2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) – Relevant Employment Provisions

Last week, the federal government enacted the CARES Act.  It provides economic relief to Americans both as individuals and businesses. While the Act contains a variety of tax, loans and other measures, the following programs are of particular interest to employers and small businesses:  Payroll Protection Program.  In part, this law allows small and mid-sized…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/03/2020

Covid-19 Weekly Updates – April 2, 2020

As the number of Covid-19 infections rise, the federal, state, and local governments are taking more drastic actions to protect and support the public during this time.  The following updates summarize major changes that affect employers in the DMV:  1.Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  The FFCRA became effective April 1, 2020.  All employers, even those…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 04/03/2020

How Do I Give Notice Under My Contract?

COVID-19 closures, stay-at-home orders, and governmental restrictions are wreaking havoc on otherwise happy business relationships. Meeting monthly payment obligations is one major concern facing all parties as the calendar turns to April without an end to the pandemic crisis.  Businesses might also encounter difficulties reaching other deadlines or touchstones in a timely and complete manner….READ MORE

Author: Peter E. Ciferri 04/02/2020

Covid-19 Weekly Updates – March 27, 2020

Another week has passed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we have seen the DMV governors close all non-essential businesses, schools closing for another month or even the rest of the school year, the legislatures are working to provide relief to employers and employees. The number of positive cases rise even as we wait with baited…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 03/27/2020

Coronavirus Brings Financial Assistance to Small Businesses

As our governments on the federal, state and local levels respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the small businesses at the heart of the economy are quickly feeling the impact of each new restrictive measure designed to “flatten the curve.” Fortunately, new relief programs for small businesses are rolling out at every level of government. We…READ MORE

Author: Jose L. Espejo 03/27/2020

Estate Planning In This Coronavirus Moment

Does this sound like you these days? Fresh out of bed, your day begins with a rush of COVID-19 news. Your email box pings with alerts. Memes crowd your social media feeds. And your smartphone vibrates with texts from worrying friends and family. On top of that, you have more time to think about it…READ MORE

Author: Lawrence S. Jacobs 03/27/2020

How Do I Temporarily Lay Off My Employees?

Due to our current global pandemic, employers are faced with very difficult decisions as the government further restricts movement and closes businesses in an effort to contain the community spread of Covid-19.  One of these questions is – should I shut my doors and temporarily lay off my employees?   As you are considering this action,…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 03/20/2020

Ongoing Changes During The Covid-19 Crisis

From day to day, hour to hour, as our government responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, our laws change.  Some are relaxed, others are altered, and new ones are added. In the last week alone, we have seen the following: The federal government is requiring paid sick leave and family leave to some employees. The EEOC…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 03/20/2020

Acts Of God: Enforcing And Negotiating Force Majeure Clauses For An Emergency

In the last two years, businesses and professionals in Maryland and Washington, D.C., have had to quickly pivot to avoid the negative economic impacts of completely unexpected events outside of their control.  First, there were tariffs and trade restrictions, followed quickly by the Coronavirus global pandemic.  How can you give your contracts additional strength before…READ MORE

Author: Peter E. Ciferri 03/18/2020

Don’t Panic: Prepare For The Coronavirus

By now you have been hearing a lot about the Coronavirus (Covid- 19), which has spread to the United States from other parts of the world.  While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that this is not yet a pandemic, it is important that you plan now on how to protect yourself,…READ MORE

Author: McMillan Metro Editor 03/04/2020