Coronavirus Flash Update May 18, 2020

Coronavirus Flash Update: May 18, 2020

Alston & Bird’s Coronavirus Flash provides updates on policy and regulatory actions under consideration across many important industries being monitored by our teams. Links to key government and legal resources are provided throughout the report.

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UPDATED 9:00 AM ET ON MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 

The Latest News

  • U.S. COVID-19 cases exceed 1,480,609 and 89,754 U.S. deaths. (Source: CDC) (Updated 5/18/20)
  • U.S. stock market: On Friday the markets finished up, with the Dow rising 60 points, the S&P 500 up 11 points, and the Nasdaq gaining 70 points for the day. Weekend trading in stock futures were pointing to improvements as of Sunday night. (New)
  • Last Friday, the Federal Reserve released its six month financial stability report signaling possible risks ahead, stating that asset prices “remain vulnerable to significant price declines should the pandemic take an unexpected course, the economic fallout prove more adverse, or financial system strains reemerge.” The report added that the commercial real estate market was expected to be among the hardest hit if the financial stress remains. (New)
  • The Small Business Administration, with assistance from the Department of Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness process on Friday, including the application and instructions. The SBA also updated its Round 2 loan statistics, noting that it had processed 2.75 million in applications from 5,479 lenders and totaling $194.8 billion in loans. The Round 2 PPP data has been updated as well. (New)
  • The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has released a survey of state Medicaid officials showing that with the increase in unemployment, Medicaid enrollment is rising, and state Medicaid budget shortfalls are expected. With 38 states reporting, nearly all projected both significant Medicaid enrollment and spending increases in fiscal year 2021 (most state fiscal years start on July 1). In separate analysis, KFF estimates that nearly 17 million people could be newly eligible for Medicaid nationwide and about 6 million for marketplace subsidies. (New)
  • The Urban Institute monthly state revenue data shows state revenues down between 20% to 50% which paints a grim picture for many state budgets. (New)
  • Last week the National Governor’s Association released a statement saying that “states are being forced to make cuts that will devastate the essential services the American people rely on and destroy the economic recovery before it even gets off the ground.” (New)

COVID-19 Federal & State Legislation   

  • Bill 4.0: Late Friday, the House of Representatives voted to approve the HEROES Act by a largely party line vote of 208-199. The bill included a managers amendment which scales back the student loan forgiveness language in the original draft to focus on borrowers already distressed rather than blanket loan forgiveness. (New)
  • Senate Majority Mitch McConnell has stated that the Senate does not plan to take up the House HEROES Act, or any other stimulus package, in the short term and will focus this coming week on Trump Administration nominations. The House is in pro forma session until May 27 and will take up non-COVID-19 related legislation next week including the Water Resources Development Act and the defense reauthorization bill. (New)
  • Despite the public statements on the HEROES Act, and the timing of any next steps on bill 4.0 by either body, the House bill’s substance has accelerated intense lobbying on what should or should not be included in what, many believe, will be the last stimulus package until fall, perhaps until after the election. The HEROES Act included many provisions which already hold bipartisan support in concept, if not yet in detail. Those issues include additional aid to individuals and families, additional aid to cash strapped states, revisions to Medicare Accelerated and Advance payment program pertaining to interest rate and recoupment time frame, and improvements to the Strategic National Stockpile and other supply chain issues. (New)
  • For the full details on the HEROES Act, H.R. 6800:
  • Bill 3.5: Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, (R. 266) was enacted on April 24. Also available are a section-by-section summary and an overview of the health care provisions.
  • A&B detailed summaries are below:
    • A&B Summary – 5 Small Business Provisions
    • A&B Summary – 5 Health Care Enhancement Provisions
  • Bill 3.0: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, (R. 748) passed on March 27. A congressional section by section summary is available here.
  • A&B detailed summaries are below:
  • A&B Quick Guide to the health care Provider Relief Fund General Distribution Attestation and Application Process – (New 5/12/20)
    • A&B Summary of oversight and enforcement provisions in the CARES Act
  • Congress has passed three coronavirus emergency response bills and the first two are below:
  • Bill 1.0: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental (CPPRS) (R. 6074) passed on March 5
  • Bill 2.0: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (R. 6201) passed on March 18
  • State Legislation: legislative resource to track how states and localities are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency relief programs for small and medium-sized businesses. Follow our tracker here. (Last updated 5/5/20)

Transition to “Reopening”   

  • State/Other Actions
    • For the latest information on state reopening decisions, see A&B 50-State Openings tracker - updated in each A&B Coronavirus Flash. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • Administration Actions
    • The President announced “Operation Warp Speed,” a national program to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. (5/15/20) (New)
    • The CDC released its report on activities and initiatives to transition to reopening. (5/15/20) (New)
    • The CDC released (5/14/20) guidelines and decision tools for reopening:
    • FEMA released an Exercise Starter Kit with sample documents organizations can use to conduct planning workshops to navigate the complexities of returning to full operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (5/12/20)

Federal Communications Commission   

  • The FCC announced that 774 broadband and telephone providers have extended a pledge to assist residential and small business customers that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The commitment now extends through June 30. (5/14/20)
    • FCC also extended temporary waivers through June 30 for Telecommunications Relay Service providers. (5/14/20)
  • The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved the sixth set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications. FCC approved an additional 33 funding applications, totaling $8.36 million. This brings the total COVID-19 Telehealth Program to 82 health care providers in 30 states for a total of $33.26 million in funding. (5/13/20)

Department of Health and Human Services   

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Coronavirus toolkit page has been updated. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • The HHS Office of Inspector General has updated its FAQs and updated its COVID-19 webpage. (5/14/20) (New)
  • HHS has a tracking feature that allows public viewing of all COVID-19 HHS grant and cooperative agreement awards on its website. The grants were distributed through programs in the ACF, ACL, ASPR, CDC, DHHS/OS, HRSA, IHS, NIH, and SAMHSA. (Updated 5/14/20)
  • The President announced changes to the supply and maintenance of the strategic national stockpile (SNS), which will include new requirements for a 90 day supply of testing, ventilators, respirators, and other materials in preparation for future COVID-19 resurgence. (5/14/20)
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced a new funding opportunity that will award $5 million to support novel, high-impact studies that evaluate the responsiveness of the U.S. health care system to the COVID-19 pandemic. (5/14/20)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced a $40 million grant program to prevent suicide and support states and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (5/13/20)
  • HHS, in coordination with the Department of Defense and FEMA, signed a $134 million contract award with the Federal Resources Supply Company to provide PPE kits for medical personnel at over 15,000 nursing home locations. (5/13/20)
  • Despite enforcement delays final interoperability rules will have significant impact on health care participants. To learn more about these complex rules read this A&B advisory. (5/8/20)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVIDView Weekly Summary is available. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • The CDC weekly COVID forecast. (Updated 5/14/20)
  • The CDC has issued COVID-19 guidance for the general population’s use of emergency shelters during natural disasters. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The CDC has updated its approved disembarkations list for cruise ship crew members in U.S. waters following certain attestation requirements. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The CDC announced the award of $10.25 billion to states, localities and territories to expand COVID-19 testing and surveillance. The state-by-state funding list includes previous allocations. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The CDC updated its guidance for veterinary clinics in treating companion animals during the COVID-19 response. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The CDC released a health advisory warning of COVID-19 related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The CDC updated or issued new information on laboratory testing (FAQs, biosafety guidelines, website). (Updated 5/13/20)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  

  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) latest news alerts. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • And for the latest COVID-19 related CMS guidance and FAQs visit the CMS Current Emergencies webpage. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • CMS has updated its FAQs for Medicare fee-for-service billing. (5/15/20) (New)
  • CMS has updated its list of blanket waivers. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • CMS announced a call for nominations for the new contractor-led Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes. The Commission will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes and will inform immediate and future actions to address the virus in order to safeguard the health and quality of life for this vulnerable population of Americans. (5/14/20)
  • CMS released a new Toolkit on actions by states and other organizations to mitigate COVID-19 prevalence in nursing homes. The toolkit is not CMS guidance but is comprised of best practices from front line health care providers, Governors’ COVID-19 task forces, associations, and experts. (5/14/20)
  • CMS provided guidance regarding Medicaid Managed Care Options in responding to COVID-19. (5/14/20)
  • CMS released a new FAQ on Price Transparency: Requirements for Providers to Make Public Cash Prices for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing. (5/13/20)
  • CMS has posted a video to review the most common questions regarding telehealth visit benefits under the 1135 waiver authority during the public health emergency. (5/8/20)
  • For a better understanding of the COVID-19 telehealth waivers and regulatory flexibilities, review this new A&B Guide. (5/12/20)
  • A&B Health Care Public Policy Practice provides a detailed summary of the CMS interim final rule. The interim final rule is intended to provide additional flexibilities for individuals and entities that provide health care services to Medicare, Medicaid, Basic Health Program, and Exchange beneficiaries to assist in the response to threats associated with COVID-19. Comments are due July 7, 2020. (5/6/20)

HHS/CMS/HRSA CARES Act Provider Relief Funds   

  • HHS announced it was disbursing another $22 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Funds last Friday for hospitals in “hot spots” or COVID-19 high impact areas ($12 billion) and for rural providers ($10 billion). The CMS Provider Relief Fund webpage has been updated and additional portals opened: (Updated 5/14/20)
  • The CDC released updated data on the Provider Relief Funding General Distribution payments. The data reflect payments distributed to health care providers who have attested to receiving one or more payments and agreed to the Terms and Conditions as of May 13 and in total, $34.09 billion of the $50 billion General Distribution has been attested to. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • Provider Relief Funds general distribution FAQs The updated FAQs clarify that “providers may not receive a second distribution payment if the provider received a first distribution payment of equal to or more than 2% of patient revenue.” It also states providers should update their capacity and COVID-19 census data “to ensure that HHS can make timely payments in the event that the provider becomes a high-impact provider.” (Updated 5/15/20)
  • A&B Quick Guide to the health care Provider Relief Fund General Distribution Attestation and Application Process – (Update 5/12/20)
  • The CARES Provider Relief Fund hotline is (866) 569-3522.

Food and Drug Administration (Drugs and Devices)  

  • FDA provides a daily roundup on COVID-19 related actions. The latest update is here, and here are the latest announcements. (Updated 5/15/20)
    • FDA maintains its COVID-19 FAQs for the general public. (Updated 5/14/20)
    • The agency also maintains a public database of drug shortages. (Updated 5/15/20)
  • The FDA released information to alert the public to early data that suggests potential inaccurate results from using the Abbott ID NOW point-of-care test to diagnose COVID-19. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The FDA has updated its guidance for compounders that experience PPE shortages. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The FDA issued an emergency use authorization to Hologic, Inc. for its Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay which runs on its high-throughput Panther System and is estimated to produce 1 million tests per week. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for infusion pumps and infusion pump accessories. (5/13/20)
  • The FDA posted a new webpage with information on the use of thermal imaging systems. (5/13/20)

National Institutes of Health  

  • The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it was beginning clinical trial testing of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to treat COVID-19. (5/14/20)

Health Resources and Services Administration   

  • The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides COVID-19-related information, resources, and FAQs here. (Updated 5/17/20)
  • HHS announced that HRSA has awarded $15 million in five health workforce programs to 159 organizations to increase telehealth capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and as authorized by the CARES Act. (5/14/20)

Department of Homeland Security/FEMA   

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues a weekly roundup of its response to COVID-19. (Last updated 5/11/20)
  • FEMA has released state-by-state PPE data which includes the delivery or shipping of more than 97 million respirators, 133.7 million surgical masks, 10.5 million face shields, 22.4 million surgical gowns, 989 million gloves, 10,600 ventilators and 8,450 federal medical station beds. Also posted is an at-a-glance document on the PPE deliveries per region. (5/15/20) (New)
  • FEMA has updated its policy on medical care costs eligible for public assistance and better coordination between the COVID-19 emergency response and other emergency disasters. (5/14/20) (New)
  • FEMA has posted a public meeting notice for Thursday, May 21 to develop a voluntary agreement under the Defense Production Act to improve the effectiveness of the distribution of critical medical resources to respond to future pandemics. (5/14/20) (New)
  • The DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an announcement with the FBI to raise awareness of the threat to COVID-19-related research. Malicious actors have been observed attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property (IP) and public health data related to vaccines, treatments, and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with COVID-19-related research. (5/13/20)

Department of Justice/Federal Trade Commission/Litigation   Consumer Protection/Anti-fraud/Anti-Trust   

  • The Department of Justice Antitrust Division issued its third expedited business review letter (BRL) related to COVID-19 collaborations, this time in connection with collaboration by pork producers and processors. COVID-19 outbreaks forced many meat plants to close, leading to a reduction in processing capacity. As a result, some hogs are now unmarketable because they have grown too large to fit on processors’ production line equipment. DOJ approved the National Pork Producers Council’s proposal to allow its members to coordinate with each other and the USDA and share information to address these supply chain issues. Consistent with its prior expedited BRLs, DOJ said it would not challenge conduct aimed at addressing COVID-19 if it is (i) “compelled by an agreement with a federal agency or a clearly defined federal government policy” and (ii) “supervised by a federal agency.” DOJ found that most of the proposed coordinated conduct would occur at the direction of the USDA, and that information to be shared independent of the government – including euthanization methods, protocols, equipment, or processors – would be unlikely to raise concerns under the antitrust laws. (5/15/20) (New)

Litigation Issues   

  • The impact of the coronavirus pandemic may be a scheduling challenge for the courts, but bankruptcy cases remain active. For an examination of the implications of a bankruptcy case where the majority shareholder seeks to enforce its blocking rights, read this A&B advisory. (5/8/20)

Department of Labor/OSHA   

  • The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced the publication of updated guidance, including FAQs, regarding the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. Under the CARES Act, the DOL created a temporary federal unemployment compensation program that provides funding to states. (5/14/20)
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) jointly with the CDC announced guidance for meat and poultry processing workers and employees. (5/15/20) (New)
  • OSHA announced an alert for rideshare, taxi, and car service safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. (5/14/20)

Small Business Administration   

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) – In response to the CARES Act requirements, the SBA formally launched its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses. (4/3/20)
  • The SBA released the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness process, which includes the application and instructions. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The SBA updated its Round 2 loan statistics, noting that it had processed 2.75 million in applications from 5,479 lenders and totaling $194.8 billion in loans. The Round 2 PPP data has been updated as well. (Updated 5/16/20)
  • The SBA and Treasury updated their FAQs on the Paycheck Protection Program. (Updated 5/13/20)
    • The SBA also extended the repayment date for the safe harbor to May 18, 2020.
  • The SBA issued an interim final rule for the PPP, relating to electric cooperatives. (5/14/20)
  • The SBA issued an interim final rule related to the PPP, covering issues related to partner compensation, seasonal employers, additional loan disbursements, and reporting of disbursements. (5/13/20)
  • Review this A&B advisory for information on relief under the CARES Act for fund managers. (5/5/20)

Department of Treasury/IRS/Federal Reserve   

  • The Department of Treasury website for CARES Act programs, including specific sections on assistance for American workers and families, small businesses, state and local governments, and preserving jobs for American industry.
  • The Federal Reserve Board has announced a temporary change to the supplementary leverage ratio rule, providing flexibility to certain depository institutions to expand their balance sheets in order to provide credit to households and businesses during the pandemic. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The Federal Reserve Board issued a Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households. (5/14/20)
  • The Federal Reserve announced that it published updates to the term sheet for the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) and identified the information that would be disclosed monthly for TALF and the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility, including the name of each participant, the amounts borrowed, and the value of pledged collateral. The Federal Reserve also issued FAQs on TALF. (5/12/20)
  • The Federal Reserve announced an expansion of the scope and eligibility for the Main Street Lending Program, essentially creating a third option to help credit flow to small and medium-sized businesses. FAQs regarding the Main Street Lending Program were released. (4/30/20)
    • For more information on how to chart a course through all three Main Street Lending Program options, read this A&B advisory. (5/6/20)
  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to mitigate the deposit insurance assessment effects of participating in the Paycheck Protection Program, the Paycheck Program Lending Facility, or Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility. (5/12/20)

Other Agencies   

  • The USDA announced its Farmers to Families Food Box program which is intended to move farm products directly to food pantries and community food programs. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The USDA has extended its waivers for child nutrition program operators who need flexibility to continue their nutrition programs through the summer. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a statement on supervisory and enforcement practices regarding Regulation Z billing error resolution timeframes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. (5/13/20)
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a website providing consumers information on housing assistance. It includes a tool that allows homeowners and renters to determine if they live in a residence with a federally-backed mortgage. (5/12/20)
  • Cybersecurity: For an update on recent key developments in privacy, data security, and all things cyber, read this A&B Digital Download. (5/12/20)
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an additional temporary amendment to Pesticide Registration Notice 98-10 to include food-contact surface sanitizer products containing the active ingredient isopropyl alcohol. This allows manufacturers of food-contact surface sanitizer products containing isopropyl alcohol to use similar sources of this active ingredient without EPA approval. This amendment should increase availability of food-contact surface sanitizers, benefiting facilities processing low moisture products like grains, cereal, flour, and industrial baked goods, which have been experiencing sanitizer shortages. (5/15/20) (New)
  • The EPA, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced assistance to help 16 communities boost economic opportunities for their local farmers, while promoting clean air, safe water, open space, and healthy food choices. (5/14/20)
  • The EPA launched an app to easily identify disinfectants on List N, for use against SARS-CoV-2, and announced an expedited review process for additional disinfectants for List N that require applications and data review. (5/12/20)
  • The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are making available a new payment deferral, allowing borrowers who are able to return to making their normal monthly mortgage payment to repay their missed payments at the time the home is sold, refinanced, or at maturity. (5/13/20)
  • In a program jointly lunched by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs, a website has been created to offer joint housing and mortgage assistance. (5/15/20) (New)
  • Review this A&B advisory for information regarding the expansion of Ginnie Mae’s Pass-Through Assistance Program to multifamily mortgage-backed securities issuers. (5/12/20)
  • The President also released an executive order to increase the development of domestic medical supply manufacturing through an International Development Finance Corporation loan program. (5/14/20)
  • The Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a final rule updating hours of service rules for commercial motor vehicle drivers to increase safety on America’s roadways. (5/14/20)
  • DOT announced that it was issuing a second enforcement notice regarding airline ticket refunds and a notice of adjustments to service obligations to allow carriers to reduce their service obligations. (5/12/20)

Trade and International Business Issues   COVID-19: global supply chains to expect major reshuffle COVID-19: global supply chains to expect major reshuffle COVID-19: global supply chains to expect major reshuffle COVID-19: global supply chains to expect major reshuffle COVID-19: global supply chains to expect major reshuffle

  • Ways and Means Chairman Neal Says Another Round of Tariff Deferral ‘Sensible.’ International Trade Today reporter Mara Lee talked with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) about his concern that some businesses were not able to take advantage of a 90-day deferral to pay duties. Neal said he shared his concerns with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, further noting that “because of the economic circumstances we find ourselves in, I think providing some relief on that front is sensible.” (5/15/20) (New)
  • S.: Wait until Crisis Subsides to Address WTO’s Role. Amid the ongoing public health emergency, the U.S. will prioritize the “exigencies” of the crisis before it will discuss the World Trade Organization’s role in the recovery or preparations for the next crisis, the country said at the General Council meeting on Friday, arguing WTO initiatives should take a back seat for the time being. “More Americans have been infected with and died from COVID-19 than any other nationality,” U.S. WTO Ambassador Dennis Shea said, according to his remarks. “So please understand these urgent matters of life and death back home have clear priority over any effort we may undertake at the WTO.” (5/15/20) (New)
  • Pandemic Presents an Opportunity for U.S., India to Iron Out Trade Deal. The U.S. and India should build on their cooperative efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic and improve their trade relationship, India analysts said this week, contending that increased engagement could provide the impetus needed to complete an initial trade deal. The countries have been working together under the auspices of the G20 and other international fora as well as bilaterally to address the public health crisis. Additionally, India last month agreed to relax its ban on exports of hydroxychloroquine after President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed supply chain issues related to the pandemic. (New)
  • MO COVID-19 Suit May Not Bypass China's FSIA Protection. The state of Missouri recently filed a lawsuit against China and Chinese governmental organizations alleging that the “COVID-19 pandemic is the direct result of a sinister campaign of malfeasance and deception carried out by defendants.” Several other states announced plans to file similar lawsuits. Private plaintiffs who suffered injury and losses due to COVID-19 have also filed a number of class actions seeking damages against China. However, the lawsuits face an uphill battle as the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, or FSIA, provides broad immunities to foreign countries and related entities. (New)
  • S., China Seem Headed Toward Tech Decoupling, S&P Says. Incentives are strong for China and the U.S. to retain the phase one trade deal, an economist at S&P Global wrote May 14, in a report called “U.S. and China Kick Trade Deal Can Down The Road.” While the report’s author said it’s possible the Trump administration would hike tariffs on China to punish that country for COVID-19, “we have long thought that, from an economic perspective, technology not trade is the core issue in the U.S.-China relationship. Technology has been and will continue to be the key driver of growth in China. It is at the heart of intellectual property, market access, and level playing field debates.” Chief Economist Shaun Roche said the two countries are on a path toward technological decoupling, no matter how the purchases shake out that are promised in the phase one deal. (5/13/20) (New)
  • Examining the strong performance of environmental, social, governance (ESG) funds, the developments in the UK and Europe and more are investigated in the A&B advisory. (5/8/20)
  • With everyone focused on COVID-19, this A&B advisory analyzes the implications of Brexit on cross-border litigation in Europe. (5/5/20)

Insurance Issues   

  • For a 50-state review of business interruption insurance related issues see this new COVID-19 Insurance Litigation and Regulatory Issues tracker. The tracker is updated weekly. (Updated weekly - 5/17/20)
  • On May 15, the Louisiana Senate proposed an Amended Senate Bill 477. The original bill would have retroactively required insurers to provide business interruption coverage for COVID-19 related business income losses, regardless of policy language. The May 15 amended bill nixes the controversial retroactive requirements and instead requires that all policies issued after August 1 “include a notice of all exclusions on a form prescribed by the commissioner of insurance” which shall “be conclusively presumed to become a part of the policy of contract when issued and delivered.” (New)
  • On May 11, the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner warned businesses that failure to comply with Governor Wolf’s closure orders could compromise business interruption coverage claims as “many insurance policies contain provisions that exclude coverage for businesses or individual’s engaging in illegal acts or conduct.” (New)
  • The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has issued a Business Interruption COVID-19 Data Call Letter to Property and Casualty Insurers indicating that state insurance regulators in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories “have agreed to participate in a data call to collect data related to business interruption insurance and COVID-19. ”  Insurers are “requested to complete both parts of the COVID-19 business interruption data call” and to submit a “Premiums Data Template” by May 22, and a “Claims Data Template” by June 15, with mid-monthly update filings thereafter. The pace of new business income coverage claims flooding state and federal courts nationwide has not slowed over the last few weeks.
  • Notable filings and orders include:
  • On May 14, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court summarily denied Plaintiff Tambellini’s application for extraordinary relief seeking to move the case directly to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court pursuant to its rarely-invoked King’s Bench Powers. (New)
  • On May 13, attorneys with Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon on behalf of SERO, INC. dba Beast against Sero’s insurer Berkley North Pacific Group (“Berkley”) alleging that Berkley “summarily denied” Beast’s claim for business interruption coverage. The Complaint alleges claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair trade practices and declaratory relief. Plaintiff seeks to represent both a nationwide class and an Oregon subclass of similarly situated restaurants. This is Lieff Cabraser’s third complaint filed on behalf of an insured in connection with COVID-19 business interruption claims. The case is SERO, INC., et al. v. Berkley North Pacific Grp., et al., No. 3:20-cv-00776 (D. Or.). (New)
  • On May 13, Magna Legal Services LLC (“Magna”) filed suit against its insurer Hartford Fire Insurance Co in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Magna alleges that Hartford wrongfully and arbitrarily denied coverage for business income losses resulting from COVID-19 related closure orders. Magna relies on civil authority provisions that purportedly provides coverage when access to its property is forbidden by an order of a civil authority, as well as specific coverage for losses caused by bacteria and viruses. The case is Magna v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., et al., No. 200500735 (Philadelphia Ct. of C.P.). (New)
  • On May 7, Slate Hill Daycare Center Inc. filed a purported class action in the Southern District of New York against its insurer Utica National Insurance Group. Plaintiff alleges that the insurer issued a uniform letter to insureds informing policyholders that their policies would not provide coverage for business income losses related to COVID-19 related closures and that all such losses are subject to the policies’ virus exclusion. Plaintiff seeks to represent a nationwide class of child care providers and seeks declaratory relief. The case is Slate Hill Daycare Center Inc., et al. v. Utica Nat’l Ins. Grp., No. 7:20-cv-03565 (S.D.N.Y.) (New)

For background and the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 website: HERE. The additional federal agency links are provided by the White House Coronavirus Task Force:   What you should know:

Situation Updates:

Information for Businesses:

Information for Travel and Transportation:

Information for Health Care Providers, First Responders, and Research Facilities:

Information for Schools and Childcare Providers:

Information for Community Events and Gatherings:

Alston & Bird Coronavirus Links

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