• Effective February 11, 2021, updates have been made regarding elective procedures and appointments for health care providers. Please click here for more information.
• On November 17, 2020, the Maryland Department of Health issued Amended Directive and Order Regarding Various Healthcare Matters, MDH 2020-11-17-01. This Directive and Order adds new measures that health care providers must implement to resume elective and non-urgent procedures. For a summary of these new measures, click here.
• On July 29, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued Maryland Executive Order 20-07-29-01 (“Order”), which, among other things, expanded Maryland’s Face Covering mandate to also include when an individual is obtaining health care services.  The order expanding Maryland’s Face Covering mandate is effective at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020. To read a summary of of this executive order, click here.
• Effective July 25, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services extended the public health emergency as a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  
• Virginia Announces An Emergency Temporary Standard on Workplace Safety - July 15, 2020
  • To view a summary of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry's alert concerning new workplace safety requirements in Virginia, click here.
• On May 6, 2020, the Maryland Department of Health issued Amended Directive and Order Regarding Various Healthcare Matters. This Directive and Order addresses various health care matters including the resumption of elective and non-urgent procedures. 
  •     Click here for a sample self-certification document for use in the resumption of non-emergent care during the national Coronavirus public health emergency from MedChi.
• Update on The CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program
  • On June 17, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released two new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness applications.
    • Read the June 17 press release here.
    • Click here to view the EZ Forgiveness Application.
    • Click here to view the Full Forgiveness Application.
  • On June 12, the Small Business Administration released a revised Paycheck Protection Program loan application.
  • Beginning on April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships were able to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). 
• An update about the prohibition of elective and non-urgent surgeries, and an information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• To view Virginia's amended executive order regarding the licensing of health care professionals in response to COVID-19, please click here.

Immunity for Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic:

This article summarizes immunity guidelines for health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update on Courts:

• Maryland Courts resumed jury trials on April 26, 2021.
• Virginia Courts may elect to resume in-person proceedings.  All jury trials are suspended until November 24, 2021, unless the Supreme Court of Virginia approves a locality’s jury trial resumption plan.
• D.C. Superior Court will conduct remote proceedings until May 20, 2021, with the exception of limited in-person proceedings and some criminal jury trials.  Civil jury trials remain suspended but are expected to resume sometime in May 2021.

COVID-19 Updates and Resources:

 Professionals Advocate Updates | Policy Coverage Issues | Frequently Asked Questions | Emergency Treatment Guidelines

Infection Control | Protecting Your Patients | Protecting You and Your Staff | Reopening Your Office