Dane County Public Health Emergency Order #13
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new public health order, Emergency Order #13. The new order, effective February 10, 2021, includes significant changes to the face covering requirements, indoor and outdoor capacity limits, and permitted sports activities. The primary changes are summarized below and are outlined in PHMDC’s comparison of Emergency […]
Governor Evers Extends Statewide Public Health Emergency and Mask Mandate
On February 4, 2021, the Wisconsin Legislature struck down the existing statewide mask mandate and public health emergency. In response, Governor Tony Evers issued Executive Order #105, which declares a new state of emergency and public health emergency for 60 days or until it is revoked or overturned. Governor Evers also issued a new Emergency […]
OSHA Recommends Measures to Reduce Workplace Spread of COVID-19
Responding to a directive from the Biden administration, OSHA posted new guidance on January 29, 2021 to help non-healthcare employers identify COVID-19 risks and implement effective measures to minimize its spread in the workplace. The guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It is advisory in nature, containing […]
New CDC Guidance Requires Informed Consent for Workplace COVID-19 Testing
On January 21, 2021, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidance for non-healthcare employers who conduct workplace COVID-19 testing. While the CDC previously confirmed that workplace testing is permissible as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing virus transmission, the new guidance clarifies that it should not be conducted without employees’ informed […]
Governor Evers Extends Statewide Public Health Emergency and Mask Mandate
On January 19, 2021, Governor Tony Evers issued Executive Order #104 extending the statewide public health emergency for another 60 days, and Emergency Order #1 extending the statewide mask mandate until March 20, 2021. This emergency order maintains the same face mask requirements that were included in the previous mandates. Lake Effect’s summary of the […]
Dane County Public Health Emergency Order #12
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new public health order, Emergency Order #12, effective January 13, 2021. The primary changes are summarized below and are outlined by PHMDC in its comparison of Emergency Orders #11 and #12. Outdoor Gatherings. Outdoor mass gatherings are permitted with up to 50 individuals, not including […]
President Trump Signs COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill
After an unexpected delay during which he strongly criticized the stimulus legislation passed by Congress on December 21, President Trump signed the $900 billion COVID-19 emergency relief bill into law on December 27, 2020. The new legislation aims to help individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country to offset the devastating economic effects of the […]
EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance to Address Vaccinations
On December 16, 2020, the EEOC updated its What You Should Know About Covid-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to address COVID-19 vaccinations. The update confirms that employers may require approved COVID-19 vaccinations when they are available, but they must do so in compliance with EEO laws. Given the uncertain landscape created […]
Dane County Public Health Emergency Order #11
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new public health order, Emergency Order #11, effective Wednesday, December 16, 2020. The primary changes are the loosened restrictions on mass gatherings. Revised Definition. A mass gathering is now defined as “a planned event such as a concert, festival, meeting, training, conference, performance, show, sporting […]
COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon: What does it mean for employers?
On December 10, 2020, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee will meet to review Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and recommend whether to authorize its emergency use in the United States. Moderna is also seeking FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine, and dozens of other pharmaceutical companies are in the process of […]
