COVID-19
TOOLS & INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Governments, municipalities and employers are taking various measures to help contain the spread. To assist you, this page includes information regarding potential insurance coverage implications and additional resources to monitor this evolving situation.
COVID-19 NEWS, UPDATES & RESOURCES
To our valued customers and friends,
The LBL Group is doing everything we can to respond appropriately to this unprecedented situation with Covid-19. Today, we have offered work from home options to our employees. We have sent out an invitation to customers for a webinar that will touch upon (1) Exposure Control Plans, (2) Safety Training Tips, and (3) A Decision Tree for managing work comp exposures. And, we are doing everything we can to stay abreast of the information, ideas, and best practices to help our customers.
Virtually every industry has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. We are getting calls daily regarding the interruption to business and the possibility of seeking remedy through various insurance policies. Business interruption is triggered when there is a covered loss and most carriers have a virus or bacteria exclusion in the policy form so unfortunately, coverage through an insurance policy is unlikely. That said, much will be learned as we navigate these uncharted waters. Your calls/inquiries are not only warranted but welcomed.
Media platforms of all kinds are inundating us with information. Sometimes, it’s difficult to discern the truth in all of it. Here at The LBL Group we are doing our best to stay calm, continue business, and support our customers and our employees the best way we can. We anticipate no interruption in services despite business being done a bit differently to accommodate some of the areas our lives are being affected. Since schools are shutting down for several weeks, you may hear a child or two in the background when we talk OR we may have to meet virtually instead of in person. All of this is for the overall good of our employees, our customers and our community. We have faith that this will pass quickly and hope that you and your teams and families stay healthy!
Recent News
2021
- 6/22/2021- Safely Reopening California
- 6/14/2021- Third Time’s the Charm?… And We Mean it This Time
- 6/2/2021- California Postpones Decision On Relaxing Mask And Distancing Rules For Workers
- 4/27/2021- US to share AstraZeneca shots with world after safety check
- 4/27/2021- Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
- 4/26/2021- U.S. lifts pause on use of J&J’s Covid-19 vaccine
- 4/19/2021- Over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid tests to be sent to major pharmacies this week
- 4/19/2021- California Hospitality Employers Will Need to Track COVID-19 Layoffs Until 2025 Due to New Right-of-Recall Bill
- 4/16/2021- Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Supporting Workers Displaced by the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 3/25/2021- California will expand vaccine eligibility to all adults April 15
- 3/22/2021- CDC: 3 feet of social distancing OK for schools
- 3/22/2021- OSHA Adopts New COVID-19 National Emphasis Program to Increase Its Enforcement Efforts
- 3/18/2021- California to Enact New COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Requirement
- 3/18/2021- State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
- 3/10/2021- ‘Be prudent a bit longer’: Health officials stress importance of COVID-19 precautions ahead of spring break
- 3/8/2021- CDC says fully vaccinated Americans can spend time together indoors and unmasked
- 2/26/2021- New vaccine delivery system launches in parts of California, including Riverside County
- 2/26/2021- J&J’s vaccine is safe, FDA says; California variant more contagious, early research shows — 7 COVID-19 updates
- 2/15/2021- Now offering the FREE COVID-19 vaccine in select stores
- 2/9/2021- COVID-19 Response Team Client Alert Executive Order 13999: Enhancement of COVID-19-Related Workplace Safety Requirements
- 1/31/2021- Novavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but far less so against one variant
- 1/28/2021- State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
- 1/28/2021- FDA Takes Action to Place All Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers from Mexico on Import Alert to Help Prevent Entry of Violative and Potentially Dangerous Products into U.S., Protect U.S. Consumers
- 1/27/2021- Cases fall 30% since January peak; most pregnant women shouldn’t get Moderna vaccine, WHO says — 8 COVID-19 updates
- 1/25/2021- Regional CA Stay Home Order ended January 25, 2021
- 1/24/2021- Assume UK variant is deadlier, Fauci says; social distancing, masks needed until late July, model predicts — 9 COVID-19 updates
- 1/22/2021- Biden’s pandemic plan: 10 things to know
- 1/4/2021- L.A. County orders mandatory 10-day quarantine for travelers; here’s what to know
2020
- 12/29/2020- Stay-at-home order for much of California extended amid COVID-19 overload at hospitals
- 12/17/2020- Coronavirus updates: Moderna vaccine gets thumbs-up; states say their allotments are being cut; COVID-19 now nation’s leading cause of death
- 12/17/2020- CA COVID update: ICU capacity drops to 0% in Southern California as state reports 379 new deaths, shattering record
- 12/16/2020- California Sets Teachers, First Responders, Grocery Workers for Next COVID-19 Vaccines
- 12/14/2020- What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
- 12/14/2020- Historic Day for Pfizer (PFE), Covid-19 Vaccine
- 12/11/2020- Governor Newsom Statement on FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization for a COVID-19 Vaccine
- 12/9/2020- California Health Officials Announce a Regional Stay at Home Order Triggered by ICU Capacity
- 11/30/2020- Limited Stay At Home Order for California
- 11/29/2020- Travel Advisory- CA
- 11/23/2020- Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine is highly effective
- 11/16/2020- The 28 CA counties moving back into Tier 1(Purple/Widespread)
- 11/16/2020- Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is strongly effective, early look at data show
- 11/15/2020- State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
- 10/15/2020- CA: Is your county open?
- 10/14/2020- Workers Compensation Covers COVID-19 in California – 101220R
- 9/15/2020- Governor Newsom Signs Bill Immediately Ensuring Access to Paid Sick Leave for Every California Employee
- 8/31/2020- Governor Newsom Unveils Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a Statewide, Stringent and Slow Plan for Living with COVID-19
- 8/24/2020- Orange County removed from COVID-19 watch list, setting in motion the reopening of more schools
- 8/21/2020- FDA gives nod to COVID-19 saliva test that doesn’t need special swab or collection device
- 8/21/2020- Newsom nears pivotal decision: Should California try to reopen again?
- 8/18/2020- Governor Newsom Provides Update on California’s COVID-19 Response and Action to Support Economic Recovery
- 8/18/2020- ED visits for COVID-19 fall for 4th consecutive week: 4 CDC updates
- 8/3/2020- California Coronavirus Update: Governor Gavin Newsom Warns COVID Could Impact Labor Day, Halloween And The Holidays
- 8/3/2020- Coronavirus updates: California infections slowing down, but deaths continue to mount
- 7/28/2020- States ranked by COVID-19 test positivity rates: July 28
- 7/26/2020- Covid-19 vaccines may cause mild side effects, experts say, stressing need for education, not alarm
- 7/22/2020- Governor Gavin Newsom Lays Out Pandemic Plan for Learning and Safe Schools
- 7/14/2020- California sets new priorities for who is tested for coronavirus as demand surges
- 7/13/2020- California Coronavirus Update: Governor Gavin Newsom Orders Indoor Service At All Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters In State To Close Again; No End Date Given
- 7/3/2020- Governor Newsom Launches “Wear a Mask” Public Awareness Campaign in Response to Surge in COVID-19 Cases
- 7/3/2020- Study confirms new version of coronavirus spreads faster, but doesn’t make people sicker
- 6/30/2020- L.A. County beaches will close Fourth of July weekend after coronavirus spike
- 6/29/2020- State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
- 6/29/2020- US COVID-19 hospitalizations rise, deaths fall: 4 CDC updates
- 6/29/2020- CDC updates, expands list of people at risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- 6/25/2020- Commissioner Lara issues Order resulting in workers’ compensation premium savings for California businesses affected by COVID-19
- 6/23/2020- COVID-19 activity by region: Where states are surging, reopening
- 6/23/2020- California Employers Face New Obligations Under New Mandatory Face Covering Law
- 6/23/2020- Senate Weighs Broad Coronavirus Liability Shield for Employers
- 6/23/2020- Insurers should prepare for ‘volatile’ individual market due to COVID-19 pandemic: study
- 6/23/2020- Not Today Corona: EEOC Bans Employer Antibody Screenings
- 6/19/2020- Where new COVID-19 cases are rising, falling and staying the same — June 18
- 6/19/2020- Californians must wear face masks in public under coronavirus order issued by Newsom
- 6/19/2020- U.S. expects insurers to cover COVID vaccine without copays
- 6/8/2020- California schools, bars and film reopen June 12
- 6/8/2020- Trump signs H.R. 7010 – bill changing Paycheck Protection Program of 2020 into law:
- 6/8/2020- California department of education releases guidance for reopening schools
- 6/3/2020- 100M vaccine doses may be ready by 2021; CMS boosts infection control fines for nursing homes
- 5/28/2020- Track where all 50 States stand on reopening today
- 5/28/2020- Employers statewide directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) may request up to a 60-day extension from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest.
- 5/21/2020- Cal/OSHA Issues New COVID-19 General Industry Guidance for All California Employers
- 5/18/2020- New California coronavirus rules will let more counties reopen, Gavin Newsom says
- 5/14/2020- California Governor Announces Workers’ Comp Presumption for COVID-19
- 5/14/2020- IRS Provides Temporary Flexibility for Cafeteria Plans, Health FSAs and DCAPs
- 5/11/2020- 3 top health officials in quarantine; remdesivir distribution plan released — 7 COVID-19 updates
- 5/11/2020- Phase 3: Gov. Newsom teases next stage of reopening California businesses is closer than we thought
- 5/4/2020- 26 States Resume Elective Surgeries
- 5/4/2020- Many California stores can reopen Friday from coronavirus lockdown, Newsom announces
- 4/29/2020- COVID-19 could cut health care costs by up to $575B
- 4/29/2020- The California State Compensation Insurance Fund announced that it will accept any claim by an essential worker
- 4/28/2020- California governor outlines state’s phased reopening plan
- 4/27/2020- Colorado & Nevada Join California, Oregon & Washington in Western States Pact
- 4/24/2020- Governor Newsom announces additional relief for Californians impacted by COVID-19
- 4/24/2020- EEOC gives employers a green light to test for COVID-19
- 4/24/2020- Three out of Four Californians want to stick with Coronavirus Stay at Home order poll finds
- 4/23/2020- California seeks to test 60000-80000 a day for coronavirus
- 4/20/2020- New-CDC-Guidance Says Essential Employees Can Continue Working After Coronavirus Exposure
- 4/17/2020- Benefits of social distancing outweigh GDP losses by 5.2 trillion analysis
- 4/16/2020- Independent contractors can soon apply for unemployment benefits
- 4/13/2020- Insurance Commissioner Orders Premium Refunds, Credits and Reductions
- 4/08/2020- COVID-CDI-Notice-Re-Workers-Compensation-Coverage
- 4/01/2020- Don’t miss IRS Code 139 – Tax Free Disaster Relief
- 3/31/2020- Zoom’s massive “overnight success” actually took nine years
- 3/30/2020- US Insurers face political pressure to pay out for pandemic related claims
- 3/30/2020- Guidance on Conditional Suspension of California WARN Act Notice Requirements under Executive Order N-31-20
Business Planning
- Protecting Your Business During Civil Unrest
- Returning to Work After the COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide for Employers (updated 5/19/2020)
- COVID-19: Small Business Guide
- IRS Code 139 – Tax Free Disaster Benefits
- CDC Employers and Employee Resources
- Coronavirus-Covid-19-Checklist-for-US-Employer-Considerations
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- SBA-Economic-Injury-Disaster-Loans
- Telecommuting and Workers Compensation
- California Employer Association: Remote Worker Fact Sheet and Checklist
Employment Resources
- Meditation & Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Responding to an Employee’s Positive Coronavirus Test
- Risk Insights: Protecting workers from coronavirus
- 5 Tips for Onboarding Employees Remotely During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- COVID-19 Managing Stress and Anxiety
- COVID-19 Working at Home Wellness
- COVID-19 Working at Home Wellness for Managers
- Coronavirus in the Workplace
- Coronavirus FAQs for Employers
- Coronavirus FAQs Part 2 for Employers
- COVID-19: Scenarios and Benefits Available
- FAQ Benefits Considerations in Response to COVID-19
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- EDD – Frequently Asked Questions
- EDD – Online claim filing options
- Labor and Workforce Development Agency – Resources for employers & workers including workers’ comp and paid sick leave
- Labor and Workforce Development Agency – Supplemental wage benefits chart.
- Labor Commissioner’s Office FAQs – Employee leave options, compensation, and salary.
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Quick-Reference Flow Charts
- DFEH – Employment Information on COVID-19
- California Employer Association: Free Services for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
Government & Policy Updates:
- New Coronavirus Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave
- Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package
- CARES Act: What Employers Need to Know
- CARES Act – Infographic
- Coronavirus Stimulus Direct Payments FAQ
- COVID-19 Small Business Guide
- Paycheck Protection Program FAQs: More information about the Small Business Association loan
- HR Benefits and Compliance Webinar – Paycheck Protection Program
- Employee Retention Tax Credits for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
- Families First Coronavirus Response:
Health Resources
- California Department of Public Health
- California COVID Response
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- World Health Organization
Health Carrier Links
- Aetna
- Allstate
- Anthem
- Blue Shield
- Chinese Community Health Plan
- Cigna
- Guardian
- Healthnet
- Humana
- Kaiser
- Lincoln Financial
- MetLife
- Mutual of Omaha
- Oscar Health
- Principal
- Sharp Health
- Sutter Health Plus
- Sutter Health
- Trustmark
- United Healthcare
- Unum
- Western Health
Shelter Resources
The LBL Group is here to support you with helpful information during the COVID-19 Pandemic.