Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legal Resources for Business

Keep your business in the know during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With information concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly evolving, DRM is committed to providing you relevant and timely guidance on how to navigate this challenging time. We will update this site regularly as new information emerges. For immediate assistance or questions on a particular topic, please contact a member of our team. On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as helpful links.

BREAKING NEWS

• On Friday, March 20, Vermont Governor Phil Scott held a press conference outlining the current initiatives the State of Vermont has taken so far to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus). See our COVID-19 VT Legislative Update page for more.
• On March 20, 2020, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced in a tweet that the April 15th tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15th. Full details here.
• On March 18, 2020, Congress approved the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA” or the “Act”), an emergency relief bill providing financial support to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is anticipated the new law will take effect within 15 days, or on April 2. See the full write up here. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Force Majeure

• If you can’t fulfill your contractual obligations due to COVID-19, will your contract’s force majeure provision excuse your nonperformance?
• If your vendor terminates your contract or fails to perform in a timely manner, will the force majeure provision in the contract excuse their non-performance?

Employment Matters

• What are considerations I should make if my employees are still coming to work?
  
  • Are there recommended strategies with respect to employees if my business is staying open?
  • Can I require a sick employee to stay home?
  • Do privacy laws allow me to notify co-workers of an employee’s diagnosis with COVID-19?
• What are considerations if I want to place employees on leave?
  
  • Whatleaveisavailablewhenanemployeeoranemployee’sfamilymemberhasCOVID-19 (coronavirus)?
    • Does Vermont require that I provide an employee with sick leave?
    • Does the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) apply here?
  • What if my employee wants to go on leave because their minor child’s school or childcare facility has closed?
  • What if my business was ordered to close?
  • What if my employee refuses to come to work because they are worried that they will get sick?
• What are considerations if my company is required to layoff employees?
• What do I need to think about when an employee returns to work after being sick with COVID-19?

Business Interruption Insurance

• Does my insurance cover losses due to COVID-19 related events?

Vermont Legislative Updates

• How will the Vermont state legislature continue to operate during COVID-19?

Cyber Security / Remote Work

• What cyber security and data security risks should I be concerned about if my employees are working remotely?

Intellectual Property

• Are deadlines for filing patents and trademarks in the U.S. extended?
• Are deadlines for filing patents and trademarks elsewhere extended?

Tax Considerations

• Has the IRS extended tax filing or payment deadlines?
• Has the State of Vermont extended tax filing or payment deadlines?
• Has the State of New Hampshire extended tax filing or payment deadlines?

Food and Beverage

• What new COVID-19 (coronavirus) related rules and regulations apply to my Vermont restaurant?
• What new COVID-19 (coronavirus) related rules and regulations apply to my New Hampshire restaurant?
• Have Vermont liquor licensing restrictions applicable to my business changed?
• Have New Hampshire liquor licensing restrictions applicable to my business changed?

Small Business Assistance

• What emergency funding resources are available for my Vermont or New Hampshire small business?
• What are some good resources for information with respect to the effects of COVID-19 on my Vermont or New Hampshire small business?

STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES

Vermont Government & Court Resources

• Guidance for Vermont Businesses
• Changes to VT Court Procedures
• VT Judiciary COVID-19 Regular Updates
• VT Public Utility Commission (PUC) Operations During COVID-19
• VT Secretary of State: Guidance for Notaries Public
• Town Clerk Office Closures
• Vermont Dept. of Health

New Hampshire Government & Court Resources

• NH Public Utility Commission (PUC) Operations During COVID-19
• NH Judiciary COVID-19 Regular Updates
• COVID-19 Updates from the NH Bar
• NH Dept. of Health & Human Services
• Gov. Sununu Emergency Orders

Federal Government Resources

• USPTO Notices Regarding COVID-19
• Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
• Coronavirus Tax Relief

HELPFUL LINKS

• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
• US Chamber of Commerce