As a consequence of the spread of COVID-19, certain protection and prevention measures have been developed in order to safeguard health in the different sectors that are operational. In this report we will share security measures implemented in Venezuela aimed at protecting the health of operators and personnel working in ports and at sea, as well as some recommendations established by international organizations. 1 ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has been not only causing major social upheaval but disrupting business development and the economy as well. Nevertheless, since last March, we have seen many developments and new projects involving self-driving vehicles (SDV). Here is an overview ...
Ohio legislators recently introduced proposed H.B. 679, expanding telehealth services. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become more prevalent and necessary. Ohio lawmakers realize telehealth is only going to become more widespread in the future, as patient usage and acceptance continue to grow. If enacted, H.B ...
Key Points Effective Jan. 1, 2021, most California employees — even those who work for very small businesses — will be entitled to 12 weeks of job-protected time off work under the CFRA for qualifying reasons. Qualifying reasons for leave are broadly defined to include caring for a family member — including grandparents, grandchildren, adult children and siblings — with a serious health condition ...
Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Jason Habinsky talked with Bloomberg Law about labor and employment implications for employers at companies with COVID-19 survivors.Below is an excerpt:Millions of people could be dealing with medical issues including heart, kidney and lung damage long after the pandemic subsides ...
As noted in Part I and Part II of this series, benefits compliance concerns typically take a backseat to the many good reasons for healthcare organizations to provide or receive the services of leased employees. However, with sufficient awareness, these compliance issues, which often have surprisingly outsized risks, can generally be managed without disrupting the aims of the employee leasing arrangement ...
Key Points Starting Jan. 1, 2021, California skilled nursing facilities must have a full-time, dedicated Infection Preventionist. Infection Preventionists must be an RN or LVN, but their hours may not count in minimum direct patient care staffing calculations ...
On September 18th, 2020, the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) adopted a new Order approving the criteria for blocking the websites with the content infringing the healthcare regulations. The document establishes criteria for identifying and blocking websites that illegally sale or distribute content that forms a positive image of persons engaged in prohibited retail trade of medicines ...
Key Notes FDA announces flexible approach to enforcement of Nutrition and Supplement Facts labeling requirements for small food manufacturers and manufacturers of packaging for single-ingredient sugars, in part due to the impacts of COVID-19. The FDA adopted final rules updating the Nutrition and Supplement Facts1 labeling requirements (the “Rules”) that are effective on Jan ...
Complementary Law No. 175/2020, enacted in September 23, 2020, determined that the Service Tax (ISS) must be shared between the municipalities where the service providers and the clients are located. Complementary Law No. 175/2020, enacted in September 23, 2020, determined that the Service Tax (ISS) must be shared between the municipalities where the service providers and the clients are located ...
Key Points Under Assembly Bill 685, Cal/OSHA can shut down a worksite if the worksite exposes employees to a COVID-19 related imminent hazard. AB 685 subjects employers to increased notification requirements that must be met within one business day of a potential exposure to COVID-19. Employers must notify local public health agencies of all workplace COVID-19 outbreaks amongst employees. Cal/OSHA can now issue serious citations more quickly. On Sept ...
On Sept. 14, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law a bill, which provides significant protections against tort claims arising from COVID-19 to all entities, including individuals, businesses, health care providers, property owners, government entities, churches, and schools. Amended Sub ...
San Francisco’s Department of Public Health (“SFDPH”) issued yet-another update to its Shelter-in-Place Order, C19-07, on September 14, 2020 (now up to version “i”). This order has been frequently modified to reflect changes in other state and local directives, as more is learned about the disease and as more businesses are allowed to re-open ...
On 12 September 2020, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) reported 1007 new COVID-19 cases in the UAE. With the number of cases rising both within the UAE and in most other countries, the UAE government has reiterated the importance of adhering to preventive guidelines and has further placed safeguards, particularly in Abu Dhabi, to ensure that those traveling to the UAE are confined to prevent the transmission of the virus ...
Presidential Decree no. 229/20 of 8 September 2020 has been published and its aim is to reassess the measures imposed by Presidential Decree no. 142/20, considering the evolution of the epidemiological situation. The new decree renews most of the measures already in force, although it also eases some restrictions ...
Key Points California Legislature passes SB 288, which adds statutory CEQA exemptions for bicycle and mass transit projects. Extends CEQA Exemption for bicycle-related highway projects from Jan. 1, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2030. Relates only to projects for which the lead agency and the entity carrying out the project are public agencies. The California Legislature passed SB 288 on Aug. 31, 2020 ...
Key Points On Aug. 25, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published an interim final rule with a comment period (IFC) establishing new Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Staff and Residents. CMS has added 42 CFR §483.80(h), which requires that the facility test all residents and staff for COVID-19. Noncompliance related to this new requirement will be cited at new tag F886 ...
Coronavirus Digest no. 4 Patents and other intellectual property rights 1. Patents Moderna reveals that it may not hold the patent rights for the vaccine against Covid-19, because it was not the first to file the patents. This came after the US National Institute of Health claimed co-ownership of the rights to this vaccine. Read more here ...
Should employees be at liberty to remove trade secrets they created when they leave their employers? Think carefully, physical liberty might just be at stake. In his junior year at UC Berkeley, he built a prize-winning robot out of Legos to sort Monopoly money. Later, he entered the first ever two-wheeler in the DARPA Grand Challenge, an American autonomous vehicle competition funded by the US Department of Defense ...
Key Points HHS Provider Relief Fund payments are being extended to private pay assisted living facilities under Phase II. Relief will be equal to 2 percent of annual gross revenue from resident care. Interested providers must act swiftly: the deadline to submit basic information to HHS is Sept. 13 Provider relief funds need not be repaid if recipients comply with the program criteria. HHS Announcement: On Sept.1, the U.S ...
The Department of Justice is stepping up its scrutiny of health-care fraud, especially in testing laboratories, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Former federal prosecutor Jason Mehta, a partner with Bradley, says now is not the time to tout profits over patient care and offers insights on compliance. In the midst of a global pandemic, much attention and praise is rightfully being showered on health-care providers ...
Skilled nursing facilities have faced unprecedented challenges since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Individuals with many high-risk characteristics are the typical patients of these facilities. Add to this, necessarily close proximity of these patients, scarcity of personal protective equipment and shortage of testing common across the healthcare industry, and you have a perfect storm of increased risk with limited options for mitigation ...
On August 6, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the conviction of Massachusetts gynecologist Rita Luthra for criminal HIPAA violations and obstructing a health care investigation. Although such HIPAA prosecutions are uncommon, the case underscores the risks health care providers and others run when handling protected patient information and when speaking with government investigators ...
