Effective August 7, 2020, Massachusetts removed Rhode Island from one of its “Lower-Risk States” COVID Travel Exemption. This applies to Massachusetts recently imposed travel restrictions that commenced on August 1, 2020....more
For arbitrations and trials that are pending and/or are scheduled for the near term, the judges/arbitrators/counsel/parties are now confronting the decision on whether to proceed forward with conducting the proceedings...more
Non-essential private construction projects were suspended on March 31, 2020 in Massachusetts. That suspension had been in place for the construction industry until yesterday— May 18, 2020....more
5/19/2020
/ Business Closures ,
Business Interruption ,
Construction Project ,
Construction Workers ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Operators of Essential Services ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Real Estate Development ,
Social Distancing ,
Urban Planning & Development ,
Workplace Safety
On April 14, 2020, Governor Raimondo issued the Twenty-First Supplemental Emergency Declaration — Requiring Cloth Face Masks At Work. The Order is effective Saturday, April 18 and continues through May 18, 2020....more
With most of the country on stay at home orders of some variety and court closings, parties to claims, litigation, and arbitrations are adapting quickly to virtual litigation activities that are customarily done in person. ...more
On March 31, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Baker replaced its prior list of “Essential Services” with a new list available online....more
Effective today (March 27, 2020) at midnight, New Hampshire joins various other states in closing non-essential businesses and ordering citizens to stay at home. Governor Sununu issued Executive Order #17 on March 26, 2020....more
3/27/2020
/ Business Closures ,
Business Interruption ,
Construction Project ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Executive Orders ,
Operators of Essential Services ,
Real Estate Development ,
State and Local Government ,
Urban Planning & Development
While many construction projects are advancing in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic, some have been suspended by governmental order, like the Cities of Boston and Cambridge, or based upon the direction of the Owner...more
On March 25, 2020, the Massachusetts Governor’s Legal Office issued a letter to Municipal Chief Executive Officers in the Commonwealth that “provides guidance regarding the effect of the Governor’s March 23, 2020 Order...more
There is rightfully a lot of buzz in the industry about force majeure clauses. Authors are writing about how far and how much they protect contracting parties from unforeseen and uncontrollable events that cause delay....more
On March 18, 2020, the City of Cambridge announced a Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium “Moratorium”) “on all construction activity on both public and private property until further notice” The City explained that...more
Effective March 24th at 12:00 noon, Massachusetts is closing all non-essential businesses “physical workplaces and facilities (“brick-and-mortar premises”) through April 7, 2020. ...more
On March 22, 2020, Governor Raimondo issued the Seventh Supplemental Emergency Declaration that ordered “[a]ll business service personnel that can work from home are required to do so.” The order was effective immediately...more
State governments are issuing orders suspending the full or partial operations of “non-essential” or “non-life-sustaining” businesses. At the time of writing this post, these states include Nevada, Pennsylvania (Order of PA...more
There are increasing reports that some subcontractors have decided to suspend operations during the COVID-19 outbreak. The subcontractors made this difficult decision even though the construction projects for which the...more
To date, Rhode Island’s Governor Gina Raimondo has issued five Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These orders address some of the challenges facing businesses, local governments, and the provision of...more
The day-to-day professional and personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is substantial. The global event will have dozens of common legal implications that we will address in this blog over the coming days, but for now I...more
Below is the City of Boston’s Press Release suspending all regular activity at construction sites in Boston as of today – March 17, 2020. Sites need to be made safe by March 23, 2020. Policy will be revisited in two weeks....more
3/18/2020
/ Business Interruption ,
China ,
Construction Project ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Crisis Management ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Workplace Safety