The COVID-19 Report is a compilation of coronavirus news, analysis, and insights from around the world to help life sciences and health care companies stay current in this challenging time.

In Tuesday's Report: An overview of EU and German financing measures for companies responding to COVID-19; U.S. passes relief legislation affecting surprise billing; U.K. traveler bans; an analysis of key considerations in light of the EEOC’s COVID-19 vaccine guidance; and a podcast discussing opportunities presented by the pandemic in Africa.

Note to Readers: Due to the Christmas holiday, we will not be publishing on Thursday, 24 December. We will resume normal publishing on Tuesday, 29 December. Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, 22 December 2020

• In response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and market uncertainty, a plethora of financing measures was introduced at EU level, German federal level, and German states levels. In their joint effect, these measures are aimed at shielding enterprises from the crisis, by offering different liquidity programs for overbridging temporary, crisis-evoked liquidity shortages. This analysis summarizes our understanding of the key EU, German federal, and German states’ financial and state aid measures. Developments in this area are fast-changing, and our publication includes updates to our initial version published on 1 April 2020, which relate, among other things, to the criteria of KfW-Sonderprogramm 2020 and the relevant financing products available on German state levels. (Authored by Dr. Katlen Bloecker)

• The Hogan Lovells Government Relations and Public Affairs group is tracking all of the latest developments in the U.S. Congress and relevant news stories. After months of not reaching an agreement on a coronavirus stimulus package, congressional leaders announced Sunday evening they have agreed to a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. The aid is being attached to a $1.4 trillion FY-2021 appropriations omnibus bill and also includes additional sought-after provisions on tax extenders, surprise billing, and $45 billion in transportation-related provisions. The House and Senate planned on passing the bill Monday evening, but Congress will also have to pass a seven-day stopgap bill to keep the government open for another week while they complete the administrative and paperwork. Operation Warp Speed’s chief scientific advisor Moncef Slaoui told reporters that they are considering trials to test if a lower dose of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine will be as effective as the two microgram shots given three weeks apart, allowing the U.S. to extend its supply to more Americans. A growing number of countries are banning travelers from the U.K. to preemptively block the spread of a new strain of the coronavirus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for Moderna’s vaccine for emergency use on 18 December. Read about these and other updates here: 17 Dec.; 18 Dec.; and 21 Dec. (Authored by Ivan Zapien)

• On 16 December, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 guidance to address COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace. The EEOC’s guidance implies that a mandatory workplace vaccination program is lawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the other laws the EEOC administers provided that the employer provides disability and religious exemptions. Nonetheless, employers must consider a number of practical and legal considerations in deciding whether and how to implement a mandatory program in the workplace. Read more online here. (Authored by Michael E. DeLarco, George W. Ingham, Amy Folsom Kett & Zachary Siegel)

• In our latest episode of the "A Perspective Podcast," Andrew Skipper speaks with Nigerian media entrepreneur, journalist, political activist and motivational speaker, Adebola Williams. He is the Group CEO of Red for Africa, Africa's largest portfolio of youth-focused media brands which include Red Media Africa, Statecraft Inc, The Future Awards Africa and YNaija.com. Listen online here as they discuss Adebola’s involvement in African elections, the power of social media – both positive and negative – as well as and the importance of promoting the right messages to propel "Brand Africa" forward. He also paints a picture of his role in inspiring youth advocacy as a GenU Global Champion and why mobilizing Africa's youth can help shape a more progressive future. He goes on to share his views about the opportunities presented by COVID-19 for Africa, and the message he believes can inspire younger audiences to create the “ new paradigm” demanded by the Africa Union.

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