Coronavirus / COVID-19 Legal Resource Page

In addition to information prepared by Foster Swift attorneys, this site includes additional resources organized by subject matter. In some cases links may appear in more than one area. Last updated: April 18, 2022.

Most Recent

• E-blast Article: CMS Guidance Ends Waivers for COVID-19 4/15/22
• E-blast Article: Supreme Court Block Mandate, Upholds for Health Care Workers 1/13/22
• Video: All Things COVID for Employers in 2022 Cliff Hammond and Patricia Scott 1/12/22
• E-blast Article: Stay on Vaccine Mandate Dissolved by Sixth Circuit - Mike Blum, Karl Butterer and Cliff Hammond 12/21/21
• E-blast Blog: New Law Expands First Responders Presumed Coverage Fund - Workers' Comp Update 12/06/21

Foster Swift Articles (Most Current First):

• CMS Guidance Ends Waivers for COVID-19 4/15/22
• Supreme Court Block Mandate, Upholds for Health Care Workers 1/13/21
• Stay on Vaccine Mandate Dissolved by Sixth Circuit 12/21/21
• New Law Expands First Responders Presumed Coverage Fund 12/06/21
• Michigan Legislature Considers New COVID-19 Presumption Bill 09/29/21
• Employer Update: New OSHA Guidance and MIOSHA Recommendations to Protect Workers 08/30/21
• Compensability of a Work-Related Suicide Claim 06/16/21
• Update MIOSHA Emergency Rules in the Workplace 05/25/21
• Michigan Employers Permitted to Resume In-Person Work May 24 05/11/21
• MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Rules for Employers Extended for Six Months 04/14/21
• Incentivizing Employees to Obtain COVID-19 Vaccines 04/08/21
• A Brief Legal Guide to Buying a Distressed Business 04/05/21
• MDHHS Changes Gathering Limits for Public Meetings 04/01/21
• USDA to Reopen CFAP2: Additional $6 Billion in Aid 03/31/21
• An Eye on the Future of COVID and the Workplace 03/25/21
• American Rescue Plan Act Provides Federal Funding for Michigan Local Governments 03/23/21
• Latest MDHHS Order Increases Stadium Capacity; Relaxes Face Mask Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Persons 03/19/21
• The Pandemic Makes the Case for 5G Expansion 03/04/21
• Update on Relaxed Visitation Restrictions and Implementation Requirements for Residential Care Facilities 03/04/21
• Key Issues in Business Interruption Insurance Coverage During the Pandemic 03/03/21
• Public Meetings with 25 Persons or Fewer Permissible Beginning March 5, 2021 03/02/21
• Women Owned Small Business Certification Program - Part One: Requirements 02/18/21
• Spotting and Stopping Elder Abuse by Those Exerting Undue Influence During COVID-19 02/16/21
• COVID-19: Is It An Occupational Disease or Personal Injury – And Does It Really Even Matter? 02/16/21
• In-Person Public Meetings Remain Prohibited Under Latest MDHHS Order 01/29/21
• MDHHS Extends Emergency Order Prohibiting In-Person Public Meetings & Requiring Work from Home 01/13/21
• COVID-19 Related Paid Leave Tax Credits Extended Into 2021 01/11/21
• COVID-19 Stimulus: PPP 2.0 and Other Relief for Small Businesses 12/29/20
• COVID Impacts on Electronic Public Meetings – Emergency Order and Open Meetings Act Updates 12/23/20
• Farm Bankruptcy Reorganizations for Agribusinesses 12/01/20
• Remote Work in the Pandemic Age: Employer Obligations and Best Practices 11/24/20
• MIOSHA to Increase Inspections of Manufacturers’ COVID Preparedness and Response Plans and Remote Work Policies 11/23/20
• What to Know When Your Customer Files for Bankruptcy 11/17/20
• Recent Developments Require Libraries to Adopt New Procedures and Policies 11/17/20
• MDHHS Issues New Emergency Order Prohibiting In-Person Public Meetings & Requiring Work from Home 11/16/20
• HIPAA Compliance Considerations During the Pandemic 11/16/20
• Health Care Providers Face Growing Ransomware Risks, and Potential Sanctions for Paying Ransom 11/12/20
• In Crisis Lies Opportunity: Growth Through M&A During COVID-19 10/26/20
• Governor Whitmer Signs Extension of Unemployment Benefits into Law and Other COVID-19-Related Legislation 10/23/20
• Taking Steps to Protect the Most Vulnerable During COVID 10/21/20
• Deputy Director of LEO Issues New Emergency Rule Affecting Workers’ Compensation 10/19/20
• MDHHS Director Updates and Expands Emergency Order 10/9/20
• Residential Care Facilities Must Comply with Recent MDHHS Emergency Order 10/8/20
• Recent Michigan Supreme Court Decision Affects Workers' Comp COVID-19 Rebuttable Presumption 10/7/20
• How Do Recent Michigan Supreme Court and MDHHS Orders Regarding COVID-19 Impact Employers? 10/6/20
• Commercial Real Estate: Dealing with the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 10/5/20
• MDHSS Revives Face Mask Requirement, Gathering Limits, and Bar Restrictions Through Emergency Order 10/5/20
• Michigan Supreme Court Upends Governor Whitmer's Authority to Issue Executive Orders 10/2/20
• Executive Order 2020-183: Increase Gathering Sizes and Places of Public Accommodation to Open Soon 9/28/20
• USDA Announces CFAP 2: $14 Billion in Direct Payments to Producers 09/25/20
• The Safeguarding America's First Responders Act - New Federal Law Provides Access to Death Benefits Program for Families of Public Safety Officers who Die as a Result of COVID-19 09/24/20
• Preparing to Deal With Employee Absences as Schools Move to Remote and Alternate Schedules 08/17/20
• Preparing a Will During a Pandemic 08/17/20
• Primary Election Day 2020: Your Guide to Navigating Masks, Selfies, and Other Election Day Rules 08/03/20
• Campaigning during COVID-19: Rules for Absentee Ballots 08/02/20
• Extension of Visitor Restrictions for Health Care and Residential Care Facilities 07/29/2020
• Executive Order: Revised Requirement for Businesses and Other Organizations 7/20/20
• Whitmer Issues Executive Orders on Masks at Polling Places and Extending Remote Government Meetings 7/17/20
• Scope of Practice, Delegation, and Supervision Requirements for Health Professionals Caring for COVID-19 Patients Reinstated 7/15/20
• Whitmer Enacts Mandatory Mask Executive Order 7/10/20
• Updates to Michigan Nursing Home COVID-19 Regulatory Requirements 7/1/20
• Congratulations! You're our “Plan B” – Alternate Supplier Checklist 6/29/20
• Governor Whitmer Loosens Restrictions for Northern Michigan and the UP; Reviews Future Regulations for Downstate Businesses 6/5/20
• New Executive Orders Lift Some Restrictions on Libraries in  Northern Michigan and the UP 6/5/20
• New PPP Legislation Provides Flexibility to Borrowers 6/5/20
  • New PPP Act Offers Practical Planning Opportunities-Video
• New Requirements for Hospital Discharge and Long-Term Care Facility Residents 6/2/20
• Stay-at-Home Order Lifted: Many Businesses to Reopen Subject to Restrictions 6/1/20
• Transitioning Back – FOIA and OMA After COVID-19 6/1/20
• Libraries may reopen on June 8, 2020 6/1/20
• Is Your Business’ COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Good Enough? 5/30/20
• Giving Debtors a Break During COVID-19: How to be Flexible But Still Protect Your Rights 5/28/20
• The CARES Act Unemployment Expansion, Workers’ Compensation Wage Loss Offset, and Refusing to Return to Work During the Pandemic 5/27/20
• Updates to PPP Forgiveness Regulations Released 5/26/20
• Up-North Restaurants and Bars to Open Under New Executive Order 5/20/20
• Executive Order 2020-91: Detailed Safeguards to Protect Workers 5/19/20
• IRS Expands Ability to Allow Midyear Cafeteria Plan Election Changes 5/15/20
• An Update to PPP Certification 5/13/20
• Provider Relief Fund: Changes in Calculation Result in Potential Overpayment 5/12/20
• Michigan Legislators Propose Amendment to Workers’ Compensation Law to Benefit Certain COVID-19 Positive Employees 5/12/20
• DOL and IRS Extend Welfare Plan Deadlines 5/11/20
• Are Death Benefits Owed When an Employee Dies after Contracting the Coronavirus? 5/08/20
• Stay-At-Home Order Extended Through May 28; Manufacturing Opens May 11 5/08/20
• MDHHS Issues Guidance on Patient Care for Michigan Health Care Providers 5/07/20
• Resuming Construction Under Executive Order 2020-70 5/06/20
• Deadline Extension of PPP Loan Certification 5/06/20
  
  • PPP Loan Certification – May 7 Deadline 5/05/20
• Governor Whitmer Moves to Reopen Construction and Real Estate with Updated Stay-At-Home Order 5/04/20
• COVID-19 Federal Main Street Lending: Expanded Eligibility and Loan Options 5/04/20
• Governor Whitmer Extends Closure of Restaurants, Libraries and Other Places of Accommodation through May 28 5/01/20
• Back to Work Planning for the Construction Industry 4/30/20
• CMS Guidance for Home Health Agencies to Minimize Spread of COVID-19 4/29/20
• Supreme Court Expands Local Government's Ability to Regulate Zoning of Medical Marijuana Caregivers 4/28/20
• Cafeteria Plan Considerations During a Pandemic 4/28/20
• Frequently Asked Questions by Public Libraries During COVID-19 4/28/20
• Nurseries and Garden Stores Permitted to Resume Activities With Conditions Under Executive Order 2020-59 4/24/20
• Updated "Stay-at-Home" Order: Executive Order 2020-59 4/24/20
• The Anticipated Rise in At-Home Work Injury Claims During the Coronavirus Pandemic 4/24/20
• A Guide to the Paycheck Protection Program: Eligibility, Application, and Loan Forgiveness Modeling 4/21/20
• Reporting, Transfer, and Discharge of COVID-19 Affected Long Term Care Facility Residents 4/17/20
• Federal Assistance to Providers and Required Coverage of COVID-19 Testing by Insurers 4/15/20
• Remote Notarization and Witnessing Services Available 4/15/2020
• Psychiatric Workers’ Compensation Disability Claims in a Pandemic Environment 4/13/20
• Executive Order 2020-42: "Stay-Home, Stay Safe" Order Extended until April 30 4/9/20
• Extension of Health Care Facility Visitor Restrictions – Executive Order 2020-37 4/7/20
• Governor Temporarily Suspends Certain FOIA Deadlines 4/6/20
• Key Details of the Paycheck Protection Program Under the CARES Act 4/3/20
• Economic Support for Agricultural Producers Under the CARES Act 4/3/20
• CMS Implements Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Homes 4/3/20
• Impact of Executive Orders on Reduction and Termination of Benefits 4/2/20
• Updates to Workers' Compensation Issues Raised by Coronavirus and New Emergency Rules for "First Responders" 4/1/20
• Employee Benefit Options in a Time of Crisis 4/1/20
• Provider Requirements Waived by CMS due to COVID-19 4/1/20
• Two Emergency Orders Affecting Health Care Services Related to COVID-19 3/30/20
• Michigan's Emergency Rules Give Personal Injury Presumption to "First Response Employees" with COVID-19 3/30/20
• New DOL Guidance Excludes Workers from Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave 3/29/20
  • Employers Remember to Take These Steps by April 1, 2020 3/30/20
• COVID-19 Stimulus: A Guide to Business Relief Packages and Tax Relief 3/27/20, 3:30 p.m.
• Essentials of the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Process for Your Business 3/26/20
• Plain English/What You Need to Know - Michigan EO 2020-21 on Suspension of Activities for Manufacturers 3/24/20
• Impact of 2020-21 on Public Libraries in Michigan 3/23/20
• Governor's Executive Order Provides Exemption for Michigan Agriculture 3/23/20
• Stay-at-Home: What the Governor's Executive Order Means for Michigan Businesses 3/23/20
• Update to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act 3/20/20
• The Workers' Compensation Issues Raised by Coronavirus Pandemic  3/20/20
• Executive Order 2020-15 Concerning OMA and COVID-19 3/19/20
• COVID-19 Legal Issues for Employers 3/17/20
• Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act in the Families First Corona Virus Response Act 3/17/20
• How Does the Coronavirus Impact Your Contracts 3/17/2020
• FAQs from Employers 3/16/19
• Employer Communication Outline 3/16/19
• International Trade and COVID-19 3/16/19

Foster Swift Videos:
mConnextions – COVID-19 –“Live”

• All Things COVID for Employers in 2022 Cliff Hammond and Patricia Scott 1/12/22
• What Employers Need to Know for 2022 - Mike Blum, Karl Butterer and Cliff Hammond 10/19/21
  • COVID Hygiene
  • Noncompete and No Poaching Agreements ​​​​​
  • Policies, Statutes and Recordkeeping
  • PowerPoint Slides: What Employers Need to Know for 2022
• What Employers Need To Know For 2022, Cliff Hammond Michigan Business Beat 10/08/21
• What Can Employers Expect Returning to Work? Cliff Hammond and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break 06/09/21
• Foster Swift Helping Businesses Back Into The Office, Michigan Business Beat 05/26/21
• Learn the Basics of Women Owned Small Business Certification Amanda Dernovshek and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break 05/12/21
• Employee Benefits Trends and Policies in 2021 - Mindi Johnson and Amanda Dernovshek 04/27/21
• Impact of COVID on Michigan's Workers' Comp Law - Alicia Birach and Patricia Scott 04/14/21
• Legal Considerations for Getting Businesses Back on Track - Patricia Scott, Expert Connexions 03/15/21
• Basics of Business Interruption Insurance - Matt Fedor, Paul Millenbach and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift 03/10/21
• PPP & Other COVID Stimulus Options - Taylor Gast, Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift 02/10/21
• Round 2: Recent Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program - Taylor Gast, Mike Zahrt and Mindi Johnson  01/26/21
  • Slides from Presentation
• Export Topics Business Should Consider in 2021 - Michigan Business Network, 01/21/21
• Receivership Act Amendment - Michigan Business Network, Patricia Scott 01/21/21
• What Happens If MIOSHA Shows Up? - Cliff Hammond, Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift 01/13/21
• Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working - Taylor Gast, Rob Hamor and Patricia Scott 12/10/20
• 2020 Year End Tax Planning: Current Updates and Strategies - Mike Zahrt 12/08/20
• Current Status of COVID Orders in Michigan - Matt Fedor, Cliff Hammond and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift 11/11/20
• Meeting Virtually: Amendments to the Open Meetings Act - Leslie Abdoo 11/10/20
  • Slides from Presentation
• "Your Customer Filed Bankruptcy - What's Next? - Scott Hogan and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift 10/14/20
• The Impact of PPP Loans on Mergers & Acquisitions - Mike Zahrt, Taylor Gast 10/13/20
• Recent Questions Regarding PPP Forgiveness Applications 10/2/20
• "Commercial Real Estate Concerns in the COVID Environment", Rob Hamor and Patricia Scott - 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift, 09/09/20
• Impact of COVID-19 and International Virtual Trade Missions, Automation Alley 09/27/20
• What Condo Unit Owners and Buyers Need to Know, Steve Smith and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift, 08/12/20
• Creative Collections, Deanna Swisher and Patricia Scott, 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift, 07/08/20
• New PPP Act Offers Practical Planning Opportunities - Mike Zahrt, Taylor Gast, 06/05/20
• Conducting Business during Covid-19 - Patricia Scott, 04/03/20
• Covid 19 Employment Law  -Clifford Hammond – FFCRA, 03/23/20
• Minimizing the Legal Impact of Coronavirus  - John Mashni, 03/23/20
• COVID-19 Employment Q & A - Clifford Hammond, 03/23/20

Webinars:

• What Employers Need to Know for 2022 - Mike Blum, Karl Butterer and Cliff Hammond 10/19/21
  • COVID Hygiene
  • Noncompete and No Poaching Agreements ​​​​​
  • Policies, Statutes and Recordkeeping
  • PowerPoint Slides: What Employers Need to Know for 2022
• Hot Employment Law Topics for HR Teams in 2021 - Mike Blum, Karl Butter and Cliff Hammond 02/25/21
• Round 2: Recent Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program - Taylor Gast, Mike Zahrt and Mindi Johnson  01/26/21
  • Slides from Presentation
• Foster Swift - Taylor Gast, Robert Hamor and Patricia Scott - Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working 12/10/20
• Foster Swift - Leslie Abdoo - Meeting Virtually: Amendments to the Open Meetings Act 11/10/2020
  • Slides from Presentation
• Foster Swift - Mark Koerner - A Primer on Civil Litigation - How to Avoid Getting Sued and What to do if you do! 06/25/20
• Michigan Municipal League - Now That the Stay at Home Order is Lifted, What do Municipalities Need to Know? 06/08/20
  
  • Slides from Presentation
• Foster Swift - Mike Blum, Karl Butterer, and Cliff Hammond - Employer Guidance for a Lawful and Safe Re-Opening 05/27/20
  • Handout based on summary of webinar
• Foster Swift - Taylor Gast and Michael Zahrt - The PPP Loan Forgiveness Form is Out: Next Steps to Ensure Forgiveness for your PPP Loan 05/21/20
  • Slides from Presentation
• Foster Swift - Taylor Gast, Michael Zahrt and Mindi Johnson - Planning to Ensure Full Forgiveness of Your PPP Loan 05/07/20
  • Slides from presentation
• RIMS Detroit Chapter/Foster Swift - Alicia Birach - Coronavirus Impact on Michigan Workers' Compensation 04/16/20
• Lansing Chamber of Commerce - Taylor Gast - Cyber Security and Data Protection While Working Remotely 04/15/20
• Foster Swift - Taylor Gast, Mindi Johnson and Cliff Hammond - Evaluating and Pursuing CARES Act Business Relief Opportunities 04/14/20
• Lansing Chamber of Commerce - Scott Chernich - Continuity of Business – Key Steps to Sustaining Your Business Through a Pandemic/Crisis 04/08/20
• Lansing Chamber of Commerce – Cliff Hammond – Coronavirus and Your Business: Employee Matters 03/30/20

Podcasts

• Recent Amendment to Receivership Act - Michigan Business Network Patricia Scott 01/21/21 
• Export Topics Business Should Consider in 2021 - Michigan Business Network 01/21/21
• Foster Swift Helps Navigate PPP Updates Michigan Business Network - Taylor Gast 01/15/21
• Morning Break Launches Tomorrow To Discuss Hot Legal Issues, Michigan Business Network - Deanna Swisher 07/07/20
• Next Steps to Ensure Forgiveness for your PPP Loan, Michigan Business Network - Taylor Gast 05/20/20
• Foster Swift Explains MI Executive Order 2020-41 Impacts On Notarization, Michigan Business Network - Michael Zahrt 04/20/2020
• Foster Swift Explains Remote Mediation, Michigan Business Network -  Frederick Dilley 04/20/20
• Legal Guide Through COVID-19 , Michigan Business Network - Taylor Gast 04/01/20
• Minimizing Legal Impact Of COVID-19, Michigan Business Network - John Mashni 03/24/20

Business Operations

• Business Pandemic Planning Checklist

Employment Law

Federal

• Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response (March 28, 2020)
• Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response (March 19, 2020)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• I-9 Compliance: DHS announces flexibility in requirement
• White Paper from U.S. Veterans Affairs
• EEOC Guidelines – Pandemic Preparedness
• Pandemic EEOC and ADA FAQs

State

• EO-2020-21 "Shelter-in-place" 
• Other Coronavirus Executive Orders

Health Law

Federal

• CDC Guidance
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Guidance
• HIPAA Guidance

State

• MDHHS Guidance
• Guidance for Healthcare Workers in the Presence of Sustained Community Transmission (MIHAN)
  • Interim HCP Guidance 03.21.2020.pdf

Resources for Small Businesses

• The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
• Michigan State Police Answers How Stay Home Order Will be Enforced
• Michigan.gov - https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98179---,00.html
• US SBA - COVID-19 Relief Options - https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options

Loans, Grants and Other Assistance for Businesses

• Vital funding for state’s small businesses gains Michigan Strategic Fund support

In 2021, this web page was chosen as a PACE Award recipient for 'Excellence' in the 'Website' category by the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The PACE Awards are mid-Michigan’s highest honor of public relations activities and are awarded annually to practitioners who, in the judgment of their (out-of-state) peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.