COVID-19 Resources

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a variety of business disruptions. Today, business owners and their employees are confronted with unprecedented challenges. Our attorneys in Vermont, New Hampshire and D.C. are actively counseling clients regarding the constantly evolving legal and business issues associated with COVID-19. If you have specific questions please contact us at primmer@primmer.com.

Resources

Click on the buttons below to read updates by topic:

  1. CARES Act
  2. Employment Matters
  3. Contracts
  4. Litigation
  5. Vermont Legislative Updates
  6. New Hampshire Legislative Updates
  7. State and Federal Courts
  8. Healthcare Matters
  9. Insurance Matters
  10. Tax Considerations
  11. Intellectual Property Matters
  12. Divorce & Family Law Considerations
  13. Estate Planning Matters
  14. Other Resources

Professionals

Senior Counsel
Burlington VT
(802) 862-0500
Shareholder
Burlington VT
(802)864-0880
Shareholder / Vice President
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3310
Shareholder/ Vice President
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3304
Retired Shareholder
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder / Vice President
Burlington VT, Washington DC
(802) 864-0880 x1223
Shareholder / Vice President
Littleton NH
(603) 444-4008 x1407
Shareholder/ Director/ Senior Vice President
Portsmouth NH, Manchester NH
603-626-3307
Shareholder / Director / Secretary/ Senior Vice President
Burlington VT
(802) 864 0880
Shareholder / Vice President
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder / Vice President
Montpelier VT, Littleton NH
(802) 223 2102
Government Relations Director
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder / Attorney
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder
Burlington VT, Washington DC
(802) 864-0880 X1237
Shareholder
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3300 x1508
Managing Director / Chair / Shareholder
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880 x1259
Shareholder / Director / Treasurer/ Senior Vice President
Burlington VT, Washington DC
(802) 864-0880, x1260
Associate
Washington DC
(202) 759 - 9330
Shareholder / Vice President
Burlington VT, Washington DC
(802) 864-0880 x1208
Shareholder / Vice President
Burlington VT
(802) 660 - 3326
Shareholder
Burlington VT
(802) 660 3307
Senior Counsel
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3311
Shareholder
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3300 x1512
Shareholder / Director/ Senior Vice President
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholder / Director / Vice President
Manchester NH, Washington DC
(603) 626-3301
Shareholder / Vice President
Manchester NH
(603) 626-3306
Senior Counsel
Montpelier VT
(802) 371-5208
Shareholder / Vice President
Manchester NH, Portsmouth NH
(603) 626-3300 x1503
Shareholder / Vice President / Assistant Secretary
Burlington VT, Portsmouth NH
(802) 864-0880
Of Counsel
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
Shareholderv / Vice President
Littleton NH
(603) 444 4008
Government Relations Specialist
Burlington VT
(802) 660-3337
Shareholder / Director / President
Burlington VT
(802) 864-0880
  1. CARES Act

    • {Updated on May 8, 2020} We have been monitoring the evolving rules and regulations affecting credit unions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic response. NCUA recently issued an Interim Final Rule regarding the treatment of loans made by credit unions under the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was created as part of the stimulus relief under the CARES Act. Read More
    • On March 27, 2020 the President signed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). To review the full text of the portions of the CARES Act summarized below, or the many other provisions, please see the full text of the bill as signed into law. 
    • At nearly 900 pages, the CARES Act is too broad to summarize all of the potentially pertinent provisions for every business and individual, and we expect further guidance from the Federal government on these programs in the near future. To read more about some of the programs described in the CARES Act, click on the links below. 
    • On August 4, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to address and clarify certain aspects of the PPP Loan Forgiveness process.  SBA further updated the FAQs on August 11, 2020 to include additional guidance for recipients of both PPP Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Read More
  2. Employment Matters

    • On August 3, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated several provisions of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Final Rule on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). While the Court’s decision does not specify whether its ruling applies nationwide or only in New York, we recommend employers that are covered by the FFCRA consider changing their practices regarding the vacated provisions or seek legal counsel when making decisions about the FFCRA.The FFCRA’s paid leave provisions are effective from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Read More
    • Updated on April 3, 2020: An Employer's Guide to Implementing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act 
      • [UPDATE April 1, 2020] The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Final Rule on Paid Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The Rule is effective from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Rule provides instructions and directions on aspects of the FFCRA that were previously unclear, including but not limited to, the administration of FFCRA paid leave, definitions for the FFCRA’s terms, notice and documentation required to support FFCRA paid leave, and recordkeeping. The U.S. DOL has continued to update its FFCRA Questions and Answers page (as of today, there are 79 Q&As). Additional updates are expected to be posted by the U.S. DOL later today, including a recorded webinar on the FFCRA. All covered employers under the FFCRA must now have posted the applicable FFCRA poster in their workplace, or if employees are teleworking, by emailing or mailing the poster directly to employees or posting the notice on their internal or external website. 
    • Business Owners & HR Professionals: Answers to 7 FAQs
  3. Contracts

    • New Restriction on Evictions in New Hampshire - This is an update regarding the new restriction on evictions based on nonpayment of rent that became due between March 17 and June 11, 2020 in New Hampshire. Read More
    • The ongoing public health emergency caused by COVID-19 (coronavirus) has caused New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu to issue executive orders that significantly affect the rights of landlords, tenants, borrowers, lenders, and utility companies in New Hampshire. Read More
    • COVID-19 responsive measures have caused serious disruptions to local businesses and created uncertainty about pre-existing commercial contracts. Read More
  4. Litigation

    VT & NH Litigation During COVID-19 - Like most businesses relying on in-person interaction, the coronavirus has also disrupted both the state and federal court systems. In mid-March, courts in New Hampshire and Vermont issued a series of orders declaring a judicial emergency and allowing modifications to steadfast rules such as allowing e-mail filing across the board.  Courts have transitioned to doing hearings remotely as much as possible, and when hearings, trials, or arguments do take place in-person, usually only the participants are allowed to attend.  Court attendees may be required to undergo a temperature screening, must wear masks, and maintain six feet distance from others as much as possible.  

    There have been no civil or criminal trials in state courts since the start of the Pandemic in the U.S. in mid-March.  Trials are resuming in New Hampshire, and criminal trials in Vermont are set to start up in September. Still, there will be no state civil jury trials in Vermont until January 2021, a significant factor in the pre-trial practice of Vermont litigators. Parties and their counsel are likely to consider the significant delay in obtaining relief through a jury trial in their approaches to settlement negotiations and mediations.

    Litigation is still moving forward with motion practice, discovery, and mediations. Mediations and depositions transitioned immediately to video-conferencing platforms.  Mediators can set up virtual “rooms” for each party, and then the mediator can move between the rooms.  Court reporters attend video depositions and can provide official transcripts.  Video and telephone hearings also occur regularly.  Our litigation attorneys have stayed very busy this spring and summer filing motions for summary judgment, taking or defending depositions on Zoom or Webex, attending mediations via Zoom or telephone, and attending remote hearings. Read More

  5. Vermont Legislative Updates

    • November 13, 2020 - Governor Scott issued stringent new restrictions to in-person interactions after a week of record highs in Vermont’s COVID testing results. Addendum 8 to the Amended Executive Order 1-20 goes into effect at 10:00 PM, Saturday, November 14. Read More

       

    • November 10, 2020 - With cases spiking nationwide and increasing precipitously in New England, the Scott Administration suspended their quarantine travel map today and replaced it with a hard quarantine requirement for all nonessential travel in and out of Vermont. Read More

       

    • October 23, 2020 - During this week’s press conferences, Governor Scott announced two new rounds of state grants that become available the week of October 26th. Read More
    • October 16, 2020 - Governor Scott again warned Vermonters to remain vigilant against COVID-19 as the state’s numbers ticked upward. He extended the state of emergency enacted in March through November 15, following previous addenda strengthening the state’s mask mandate and permitting cities and towns to limit gathering sizes and alcohol sales in prior executive orders. Updated modeling shows a shrinking map of counties where travel without quarantine is permitted, and national trends do not provide immediate hope that that shrinking will be reversed. Read More
    • April 24, 2020 - Governor Scott continued with his phased approach to slowly reopen certain sectors of business as Vermont health data shows continued improvement in containing COVID-19. Click on the link for more information on Addendum 11 and other updates. Read More 
    • April 17, 2020 - Governor Scott announced Addendum 10 to his Executive Order. In Addendum 10, Governor Scott announces the process to beginning to open up some business sectors as of April 20, 2020 and also established new guidelines for businesses already open and those that are about to be. Read More
    • April 10, 2020 - Governor Scott today extended the State of Emergency to May 15. The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April 15, as were the subsequent mitigation measures. Read More
    • April 2, 2020 - An update from the Vermont State House and the Governor. Read More 
    • March 25, 2020 - An update from the Vermont State House and the Governor. Read More
    • March 24, 2020 - Ordered today in Addendum No. 6 a Stay Home/Stay Safe directive effective March 25 at 5:00 pm until April 15 that all businesses and not-for-profit entities in Vermont shall suspend in-person business operations. Read More
    • March 23, 2020 - Governor Scott issued Addendum No. 5 to his original Executive Order in which he has now directed all businesses and not-for-profit entities to the maximum extent possible to put into place telecommuting or work-from-home procedures, no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Read More
    • March 23, 2020 - An update from the Vermont State House which includes announcements from the Governor and the Administration and updates regarding health care and employer/employee issues. Read More
    • On March 21, 2020 -  Governor Scott directed gymnasiums, fitness centers, and similar exercise facilities, hair salons and barbers, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors to close all in-person operations no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23.
    • March 20, 2020 - An update from the Vermont State House regarding the legislative calendar, tax and revenues, employer/employee, healthcare, and municple issues. Read More
    • Governor Phil Scott Announces Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19.
  6. New Hampshire Legislative Updates

    • April 6, 2020 - Last week, the Governor Sununu issued an extension of the State of Emergency, along with five emergency orders. Read More
    • March 26th & 27, 2020 - Governor Sununu issued three new emergency orders, representing New Hampshire's latest efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read More
  7. State and Federal Courts

    • April 27, 2020 - An update regarding the COVID-19 response and operational changes of the New Hampshire State and Federal Courts. Read More
    • April 2, 2020 - Renewed and amended emergency order governing proceedings of New Hampshire Sumpreme Court Committees. Read More
    • [Updated on April 27, 2020] - An update regarding the COVID-19 response and operational changes of the Vermont State and Federal Courts. Read More
  8. Healthcare Matters

    • On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released information regarding fraud schemes related to COVID-19. Read More
    • On March 23, 2020, the Senate Health & Welfare Committee gave its approval to a series of amendments in H.742 aimed at health care response and delivery related to COVID-19. H.742 contains issues that require legislative action, while others can be done administratively. Read More
    • On March 20, 2020, the Senate Health & Welfare Committee compiled a series of amendments aimed at health care response and delivery related to COVID-19. While a great number of initiatives are being discussed and promoted, many can be done through Executive Order or administrative action. The Committee is thus identifying which will be done through that means and which will require legislative action. Read More
    • On March 13th 2020, President Trump issued a National Emergency Declaration.  Pursuant to Section 1135 of the Social Security Act, the President’s declaration, and the Secretary for Health and Human Services (“HHS) previous Public Health Emergency Declaration on January 31, 2020, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) is authorized to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) program requirements and conditions of participation.  All authorized waivers have a retroactive effective starting date of March 1, 2020 and will remain active throughout the Public Health Emergency. Read More
    • Temporary Licensure for Healthcare Workers: On March 13, 2020, the Governor issued a State of Emergency. This means the Office of Professional Regulation will be issuing temporary licenses to healthcare workers. 3 V.S.A. §129(a)(10)
    • In addition, there is draft legislation currently under review that would further address the licensure of healthcare professionals.
    • Guidance to Reduce Facility-Based Transmission of COVID-19 in Congregate Care Settings
  9. Insurance Matters

    • Business interruption damages caused by COVID-19 may be difficult to recover under traditional business interruption policies. Read More
    • March 19, 2020 - First Coronavirus Coverage Suit Filed For Business Interruption. Read More
    • February 18, 2020 - Coronavirus supply chain losses could be tough to recover. Read More
  10. Tax Considerations

    On March 13, 2020, President Trump instructed the Secretary of Treasury “to provide relief from tax deadlines to Americans who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency, as appropriate, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7508A(a).” Read More

  11. Intellectual Property Matters

    In reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak, patent and trademark offices have closed their doors; however there are options. In some cases, deadline extensions and electronic filings can help to minimize the negative impacts the outbreak has had on filers. Follow the link for an outline of the procedure modifications set forth by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the US Copyright office. Read More

  12. Divorce & Family Law Considerations

  13. Estate Planning Matters

    • The #1 Legal Document Every Adult Needs to Have Right Now - The coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life and leave Americans feeling uncertain of the future. It is also an unfortunate reminder that we must plan for the event where you or a loved one falls ill. One of the most important and relatively easy things you can do is to select a medical agent and set up your advance healthcare directive. Read More

  14. Other Resources