The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine guidance for employers on December 16, 2020, providing answers related to workplace requirements about COVID-19 vaccines. With COVID-19 vaccinations underway in the U.S., the deployment poses complex questions for employers determining whether to mandate vaccines for all employees and how to manage such mandates.
Travel & Hospitality
Regional Stay at Home Order Implemented in California
Late last week, in an effort to control the increase of COVID-19 cases and stabilize the overwhelming hospital systems,[1] California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new Regional Stay At Home Order (December Order) based on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed capacity. Under the December Order, if the available ICU capacity dips below 15% in…
Hotels Provide Sanctuary on the Front Lines; Saving Grace in the Time of Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has emptied hotels.
Occupancy rates have plummeted. Owners and operators are laying off staff and closing hotels.
But in the midst of a crisis, need and opportunity meet. Cities across the country, desperate for beds to house first responders, trained medical personnel, or infected patients that just need a place to self-isolate,…
Total Vacancy: Hotels Searching for Answers in Wake of COVID-19
Every business in the United States has been forced to confront the halting effect of COVID-19. No sector of the economy has felt the impact more than the hospitality industry. Hotels saw a drop in occupancy when travel advisories began to trickle in, but subsequent governmental shutdowns and mandatory closures have pushed occupancy rates into…
Critical Employee Benefit Issues in a Pandemic – Can Employees Take Their Money out of Plans?
By Martin Smith
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in hours, furloughs and temporary closures are becoming an increasingly common and unavoidable occurrence. Employers can expect to encounter questions with respect to employee benefits offered to affected employees. While the facts and circumstances of each case will vary, common themes exist, a few of which are…
When the “Lights Go Out on Broadway” Will the Lights on Tribal Slot Machines be Next? What Do State COVID-19 Emergency Actions Mean for Tribal Gaming Operations?
President Trump has declared a national emergency as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and more than 30 States have made emergency declarations in response to COVID-19. Governors of the States of California, Washington, Oregon and New York have issued executive orders or proclamations prohibiting “large gatherings,” which in California, Washington and Oregon…
The U.S. Coronavirus Inbound Travel Ban Has Been Expanded to Flights from the U.K., Ireland, and Schengen countries, in Addition to the Previous Ban from China and Iran
By Greg Berk & Karl Buhler
On Monday, March 16th, 2020, the U.S. will be extending the March 13th, 2020 “European Travel Ban” to certain foreign nationals who have been in the United Kingdom and Ireland for 14 days prior to boarding. These two countries were previously exempted from the Wednesday, March 11th Presidential Proclamation (the “First Proclamation.”)
Exceptions and Limitations…
California Executive Order Permits “Commandeering” Hotels
California Governor Newsom yesterday issued an executive order that reserves the right to commandeer hotels and other similar facilities to serve as facilities for dealing with individuals affected with Covid-19.
Under the California Emergency Services Act (Ca. Gov. Code § 8550 et seq.), the Governor is authorized to commandeer or use any private property or…
Dealing With An Unwelcome Guest – Coronavirus and Operating, Contract and Loan Issues for Hotel Owners and Operators
By Michael Roth
The Hospitality industry stands on the front lines of the growing concern over the spread of Coronavirus Disease 19 (“Covid-19” or “Coronavirus”). As an industry focused on serving the needs of travelers from varied and often distant locales, in facilities that see significant daily guest turnover, and as hosts to guests for conferences and events,…