Texas businesses watched the 2021 Texas legislative session closely for the potential pandemic liability relief provided in Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), or the Pandemic Liability Protection Act. With the passage of SB 6, Jackson...more
As companies of all types and sizes continue to deal with the potential legal implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for their businesses, Jackson Walker provides insights and resources on the COVID-19 Legal Resources &...more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently issued GA-34 removing the state's mandate on wearing masks in public place and businesses, as well as removing limits on Texas businesses on the occupancy rates for customers. Governor...more
Earlier this afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34, which will lift the state’s COVID-19-related occupancy limits and mask requirement effective March 10, 2021. Previous executive orders generally...more
After several months of tightening restrictions on Texas businesses meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus, in October 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott allowed many businesses to reopen at 75% capacity in Executive Order...more
As many businesses and those in the health care industry wonder what protections, if any, they have against COVID-19-related litigation claims, Jackson Walker's Healthcare practice chair, Virginia Mimmack, and healthcare...more
2/12/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Covered Person ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Immunity ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Physicians ,
Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) ,
Telehealth ,
Workplace Safety
In achieving a compromise in the latest COVID-19 relief package, one of the items cut from the final bill was Senator McConnell's business immunity protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Jackson Walker attorneys Brad...more
As Texas Governor Greg Abbott relaxed restrictions meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 across the state in recent months, he left in place a safety valve of sorts that has tightened restrictions on businesses and hospitals...more
As we enter the winter season with COVID-19 infections at record highs, businesses are preparing for an unusual holiday workplace where typical travels and gatherings are hindered. With the Thanksgiving holiday just weeks...more
Yesterday, Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to continue Texas’ reopening process after the coronavirus pandemic brought public activity in much of the state to a halt earlier this year.
Executive Order GA-30 allows...more
9/18/2020
/ Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) ,
Caregivers ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Rule ,
Executive Orders ,
Governor Abbott ,
Health and Safety ,
Hospitals ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Long Term Care Facilities ,
New Rules ,
Nursing Homes ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Social Distancing ,
State and Local Government
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) has substantially updated its guidance on identifying critical infrastructure workers and activities during the Coronavirus outbreak. Earlier versions of...more
On August 3, 2020, in State of New York v. U.S. Department of Labor, a federal district judge in the Southern District of New York held that four parts of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regulations under the Families First...more
8/4/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Final Rules ,
Health Care Providers ,
Intermittent Leave ,
Labor Regulations ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Required Documentation ,
Sick Leave ,
Wage and Hour
Yesterday on July 14, 2020, Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County’s Interim Medical Director, announced new emergency rules, authorized under two ordinances passed unanimously on July 9, 2020, at a special-called Austin City...more
7/16/2020
/ City Councils ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Rule ,
Fines ,
Governor Abbott ,
Health and Safety ,
Local Ordinance ,
Masks ,
Public Health ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Policy ,
Social Distancing
On Thursday, July 2, in the face of growing COVID-19 infection and hospitalization numbers across the state, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring the use of face coverings when in public and not...more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order earlier today, June 26, banning most outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people, ordering individuals not to visit bars or use commercial water rafting or tubing services,...more
In an emergency session this morning, Dallas County Commissioners approved an amended order by County Judge Clay Jenkins that imposes face covering requirements for individuals and businesses in Dallas County. Effective June...more
El Paso city officials issued a revised local emergency directive on June 18, 2020, mandating that all businesses in the city of El Paso must develop and implement a health and safety policy that requires wearing a face mask...more
6/22/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Mandates ,
Health and Safety ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Public Health ,
Public Policy ,
Workplace Safety
On June 3, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued the latest in a series of executive orders gradually loosening Coronavirus-related restrictions on Texas businesses.
The executive order, GA-26, increases the maximum...more
A recent update by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) expanded the scope of essential business activities allowed to resume and operate without restriction across Texas, especially in the...more
As state and local public health orders gradually allow businesses to reopen and teleworking employees return to the office, the attention of many employers has shifted from managing a remote workforce to overseeing a safe...more
On May 8, 2020, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an amended public health control order which brings the current scope of Dallas County’s COVID-19 regulation of reopening businesses and services closer to recent...more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s May 5 announcement of Phase II of his plans to reopen Texas businesses expanded the scope of office-based and manufacturing work allowed to operate across the state, and implemented new workplace...more
...On April 27, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he intends to allow the state’s stay-at-home orders to expire on April 30, paving the way for ramping up the Texas economy again in three phases.
In Phase I and by...more
4/29/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Executive Orders ,
Governor Abbott ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Care Providers ,
Hospitals ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
State and Local Government ,
Travel Restrictions ,
Travelers
On March 31, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring every person in Texas to minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household, except where...more
On March 22, 2020, Dallas County issued a “shelter in place” order, set to take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, and running until April 3, 2020, unless extended. The order generally requires Dallas County...more