In This Issue:
  • DOL Issues Additional Compliance Guidance for Reopening Workplaces
  • OSHA Adds New Topic to FAQ's
  • Updated List of States on The Travel Advisory
  • Know Your Risk During COVID-19
  • We Want To Know What You Think
  • Upcoming Webinars
  • Empire Chapter Resources
DOL Issues Additional Compliance Guidance for Reopening Workplaces
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division  published  additional guidance to address the requirements and protections under several of the laws enforced by the agency as workplaces reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a  DOL news release on July 20th, the guidance, which provides information to workers and employers on the requirements of the  Fair Labor Standards Act,  the  Family and Medical Leave Act  and the  Families First Coronavirus Response Act , features newly added frequently asked questions addressing critical issues under all three laws.

As on ongoing concern of the new COVID-19 Paid Leave issues for employers as the country reopens and as we quickly approach the school year, we encourage you to register for a webinar on Tuesday, August 4th at 3:00 PM. ABC General Counsel Maury Baskin will discuss the latest legal developments and practical choices confronting ABC members. Other topics will include remote working and the continuing controversies over shutdown/reopening orders in the construction industry.
OSHA Adds Topic to FAQ's
Recently, OSHA added a new topic on the reporting of work-related confirmed cases of COVID-19 to it's FAQ list. While OSHA hasn’t taken this position, we continue to have concern about COVID-19 only being reported as work-related cases.
 
We will continue to monitor legislation at the federal and state level for any confirmation of our concerns. We encourage you to implement best practices we've shared as we continue to build in New York. 
Updated List of States on The Travel Advisory
As of Tuesday, July 21st, Alaska , Delaware , Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Virginia, and Washington have been added to the list of states who meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states, all of which have significant community spread, to quarantine for 14 days. Minnesota  has been removed from the list.

There are currently 31 states, the current list is below:

  • Alaska
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Missouri
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Nevada
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

As a reminder, people who choose to not to self-quarantine will face fines for the violations. The first violation is a $2,000 fine, the second is a $5,000 fine and potentially up to a $10,000 fine for a third violation. ABC will continue to monitor the list of states and keep you updated.

Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Know Your Risk During COVID-19
High Risk
  • Eating at a buffet
  • Working out at the gym
  • Going to an amusement park
  • Going to a movie theater
  • Attending a large music concert 
  • Going to a sports stadium
  • Attending a religious service with 500+ worshipers 
  • Going to a bar

Moderate Risk
  • Having dinner at someone else‘s house
  • Attending a backyard barbecue
  • Going to a beach
  • Shopping at the mall
  • Sending kids to school, camp, or daycare 
  • Working a week in an office building
  • Swimming in a public pool
  • Visiting an elderly relative or friend in their home
Moderate to High Risk
  • Going to a hair salon or barbershop
  • Eating inside a restaurant 
  • Attending a wedding or funeral
  • Traveling by plane
  • Playing basketball or football
  • Hugging or shaking hands 




Moderate to Low Risk
  • Grocery shopping
  • Going on a walk, run, bike ride with others
  • Playing golf
  • Staying at a hotel for two nights
  • Sitting in a doctor’s waiting room
  • Going to a library or museum
  • Eating at a restaurant outside
  • Walking in a busy downtown
  • Spending an hour at a playground
Low Risk
  • Opening the mail 
  • Getting restaurant takeout
  • Pumping gasoline
  • Going camping
We Want To Know What You Think
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Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM EDT

Speakers:  Eric Hoffman and Andrews Schimmel, WEX; Bobby Waldeck, Mastercard
Moderator:  Greg Sizemore, ABC National

Today’s business environment is forcing companies to look for ways to reduce expenses, mitigate risks and drive revenue to their bottom line. The WEX and Mastercard team will discuss how the accounts payable landscape is changing regarding the buyers/supplier relationship and changes in the corporate card solutions marketplace, as well as provide a demo of the Virtual MasterCard application.



Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM EDT

Speakers:  Maury Baskin, Littler Mendelson P.C.

With the approach of the school year and controversy in many states about whether schools will reopen fully, partially or not at all, many construction industry employers are wondering how the different reopening plans will affect their obligations to workers, including paid and unpaid leave. Since April 1, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act has required COVID-related paid leave for private-sector employers with fewer than 500 employees, but a number of school reopening issues remain unclear. ABC General Counsel Maury Baskin will discuss the latest legal developments and practical choices confronting ABC members and chapter staff. Other topics will include remote working generally and the continuing controversies over shutdown/reopening orders in the construction industry.


ABC Empire Chapter Resources