COVID-19 Insights

Title II, Section A of the CARES Act modifies and expands unemployment benefits available in 2020 to provide relief to individuals who are affected by the COVID-19 epidemic.

In an effort to provide updates reflective of the common questions we are answering, we have compiled additional FAQs and responses.

Kerr Russell attorney Olivia V. Hankinson will be presenting with Hylant in this webinar hosted by the Detroit Chinese Business Association (DCBA). The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT. Register HERE.

The US Department of Labor recently clarified that employees laid off or furloughed due to lack of work and “stay at home” orders are not entitled to receive paid leave benefits under the new Emergency Paid Leave Act or the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act Expansion.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) expanding the SBA 7(a) loan program (the “Paycheck Protection Program”) by allowing eligible businesses to receive forgivable loans of up to $10,000,000 for a maximum term of 10 years.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).  A summary of key business tax provisions follows.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides critically needed stimulus and relief to businesses and individuals in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

On March 27, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-26 extending the filing and payment deadline for 2019 State of Michigan income taxes. The order contains additional relief.

As the COVID-19 pandemic forces businesses to close and causes economic distress, Congress is working to address the economic effects of COVID-19. Congress’ most recent response measure is a stimulus Bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which seeks to address the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Senate and the House passed a final version of the Bill, and on Friday, March 27, President Trump signed the bill into law.

Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties follow Governor Whitmer in issuing Emergency Orders requiring COVID-19 screenings. They also implement social distancing plans for essential business workers.

We have been receiving many immigration-related inquires in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting impact to companies that employ foreign workers. Here, we have compiled the most common questions posed with our responses.

Kerr Russell attorneys and Qualified Staffing hosted a webinar discussing the impact of COVID-19 0n employers. The webinar, which can be heard HERE, focused on employment law policies directly relating to COVID-19.

The worsening, economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis will only serve to exacerbate the plight of small businesses, many of which have been forced to suspend or curtail operations. Kerr Russell will provide periodic updates regarding programs and avenues to help small businesses and small business owners navigate the financial crisis.

On March 23, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-21 (“Order”). The Order took effect March 24, at 12:01 am and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm. It requires residents to stay in their homes other than for exempted activities. These exemptions include work under very limited circumstances.

Join us for an exclusive discussion regarding the impact of COVID-19 on employers. The webinar is Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 2:00 pm EDT.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the international movement of personnel, visa applications, and how immigration benefits are processed in the United States.

On March 18, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order extending the deadline for Michigan residents to redeem real property forfeited to the county treasurer for unpaid real property taxes.

In an effort to offer COVID-19 relief, the IRS is providing an extension to the tax filing deadline. The new deadline is July 15, 2020. This is in addition to the extension to file and pay 2019 and estimated taxes.

As previously discussed, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to twelve weeks unpaid leave in a twelve-month period and the guarantee of continued employment following leave. However, FMLA does not provide paid leave and Michigan currently has no paid leave statute.

First tangible benefit issued to employees in Michigan. Michigan's Governor expands entitlement of employees to collect unemployment benefits by suspending the Voluntary Leave disqualification provisions of the Unemployment Act and extending the period of benefit coverage.

Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history. Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people

As of March 17, 2020, Michigan has announced 54 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. There are more than 30 test results pending, and almost 400 individuals are being monitored for assessment purposes.

There are a myriad of articles hitting news feeds this month dealing with privacy issues related to COVID-19.  Attorneys at Kerr Russell have addressed many of those questions – their articles are available here. 

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to the international movement of personnel, visa applications, and how immigration benefits are processed in the United States.  Below is a summary of some of these implications.

Affected Employers may qualify for certain benefits. On the morning of Saturday, March 14, 2020, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act, an emergency rescue package designed to respond to the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic.

The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday, March 12, 2020 issued a guideline outlining the potential ways that states can administer their unemployment insurance programs to provide the greatest assistance to those Americans who have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The IRS is taking steps to respond to the COVID 19 virus. Additional steps and guidance are expected.

On March 13, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer executed Executive Order 2020-5. The Executive Order prohibits all assemblages within the state of Michigan of more than 250 people in a single shared space beginning on Friday, March 13 at 5:00pm and ending on Sunday, April 5 at 5:00pm. A “single shared space” includes but is not limited to a “room, hall, cafeteria, auditorium, theater, or gallery.” A willful violation of the Executive Order constitutes a misdemeanor under Michigan law.

On March 10, 2020 the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the first positive tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the State of Michigan. Unfortunately, due to the contagious nature of COVID-19, it is likely that the virus will spread to others within the State and begin to affect Michigan workplaces.

Can Coronavirus be a Force Majeure Event?