BioNJ Combating COVID-19 Toolbox

The Coronavirus is a serious global public health threat with information rapidly evolving. We are proud of our Members who are working hard to bring forward potential COVID-19 solutions to prevent, diagnose and treat this deadly infectious disease. BioNJ Member Companies, as employers, are also rushing to develop policies in response to employee concerns and safety needs. In support, BioNJ is working diligently to gather valuable tools and information for our Members to use as resources and guidelines.

We asked our Members what policies/communications they are putting in place. Below is what they shared. We invite our Member companies to send additional resources and tools to RBromberg@BioNJ.org. Thank you. 

For comprehensive information about New Jersey’s response to the novel Coronavirus outbreak, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/.

Please click on each drop down for a comprehensive list of tools, articles and resources in each of these categories.

New Measures Set in Place by Governor Murphy:

  • Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Designating March 9th of Each Year as “COVID-19 Heroes Day”
  • Governor Murphy, Treasurer Muoio Announce Plan to Follow Federal Government’s Lead to Enhance the Benefits of Paycheck Protection Program Loans
  • Governor Murphy Announces the First Phase of the Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program
  • The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health
  • NJ A3843 (20R) directs the State’s Medicaid program and health benefit plans to cover Coronavirus testing. The Governor took similar action last week, advising plans to cover Coronavirus testing as well as emergency room, urgent care and office visits. The guidance applies to any health plan available through the state’s individual, small and large group marketplaces.
  • NJ A3845 (20R) allows the Economic Development Authority to extend grants to small businesses impacted by the virus.
  • NJ A3848 (20R) would prohibit employers from firing workers who need to take time off because of the Coronavirus.
  • NJ A3849 (20R) grants some flexibility for custodians under the State’s open =376 w, extending the time frame by which they have to respond to requests during a state of emergency, public health emergency or State of local disaster emergency.
  • NJ A3850 (20R) allows public bodies to conduct business remotely, or using electronic means, during a period of emergency.
  • NJ A3851 (20R) would extend the deadline by which local and county governments have to adopt their budgets during periods when New Jersey is in a state of emergency or public health emergency.
  • NJ A3854 (20R) would allow licensed health care facilities to collect swabs during the period covered by Murphy’s public health state of emergency and grants Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli the ability to waive any staffing requirements for those facilities during that period.
  • NJ A3855 (20R) would require the State’s departments and agencies to put information about accessing food on public notifications relating to public health emergencies.
  • NJ A3861 (20R) would allow corporations to hold shareholders’ meetings remotely, rather than in person, during a state of emergency.
  • NJ AJR158 (20R) urges the FCC to take temporary measures to secure broadband access for those affected by COVID-19.
  • A-3903/S-2336 allows remote notarial acts during Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020.
  • A-3910/S-2333 provides civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency; facilitates issuance of certain temporary licenses and certifications during public health emergency and state of emergency.
  • A-3913/S-2374 expands protections of the Family Leave Act to allow employees forced to take time off to care for a family member during the COVID-19 outbreak with up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave in a 24-month period without losing their jobs.
  • A-3915/S-2342 permits nonprofit corporations to allow members to participate in meetings by means of remote communication, and permits nonprofit corporations to hold meetings in part or solely by means of remote communication during state of emergency.
  • Executive Order 107 provides that “all New Jersey residents shall remain home or at their place of residence,” with certain specified exceptions. With regard to life sciences companies, EO 107 provides an exception for any business with “employees that cannot perform their functions via telework or work-from-home arrangements” provided that the business makes “best efforts to reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure that essential operations can continue.”  It also provides examples of such employees who cannot work remotely, including “lab technicians.” Click here for details.
  • Executive Order 109 is intended to assess the availability of PPE as we move forward in the current situation.
  • Executive Order No. 112 authorized the Division of Consumer Affairs to temporarily reactivate the licenses of recently retired health care professionals and grant temporary licenses to doctors licensed in foreign countries.
  • Executive Order No. 113 authorizes the New Jersey State Director of Emergency Management to use the Governor’s full authority under the Disaster Control Act to commandeer personal services and/or real or personal property.
  • Executive Order No. 122 ceases all non-essential construction projects and imposing additional mitigation requirements on essential retail businesses and essential industries to limit the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey. The order also outlines specific protections and policies for all essential retail, manufacturing, and warehousing businesses, as well as businesses engaged in essential construction projects.
  • Executive Order No. 123 extends grace periods during which certain insurance companies, including health insurers, life insurers, and property and casualty insurers, will not be able to cancel policies for nonpayment of premiums.
  • Executive Order No. 127 extended various deadlines associated with rulemaking for state agencies until 90 days following the end of the public health emergency.
  • Executive Order No. 128 allows tenants to direct their landlords to use their security deposits to offset rent or back rent.
  • Executive Order No. 137  rescinding Executive Order No. 73 (2019), which directed the Department of the Treasury to achieve a $1.276 billion surplus by the end of this current fiscal year.
  • Executive Order No. 140 outlining the formation of a statewide council of leaders to advise on New Jersey’s restart and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Executive Order No. 142 permits the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses and car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events.
  • Executive Order No. 210 extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, and November 21. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Biopharma COVID-19 Initiatives:

Business Tools:

Baker Tilly

BDO USA

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

CohnReznick LLP

Conner Strong

Coretelligent

Deloitte

DLA Piper

EisnerAmper LLP

Faegre Drinker

Friedman LLP

JPMorgan

Korn Ferry

Mintz

Morgan Lewis

Nevakar

Otsuka US

Troutman Pepper LLP

RSM US LLP

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Verve

Withum

 

Quick links:

► The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development has established a site to match companies needing workers with folks needing work. Click here for COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal.
►  New Jersey Coronavirus hotline 800-222-1222
►  Online State Portal for Worker Left Unemployed Due to the Coronavirus
►  New Jersey Residents with Questions or Concerns about COVID-19 and Resources Available Can Call 2-1-1 or Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to Receive Text Information and Stay Informed.
►  New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Job Portal at https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/
►  To Donate Personal Protection Equipment, Email PPEdonations@njsp.org
►  Connect for COVID-19 invites Americans to donate unused smart devices to help keep keep COVID-19 patients connected to their families. www.connectforcovid19.com

BioNJ’s COVID-19 Rapid Fire Research Showcase | Recorded on June 5, 2020
Click on the link below to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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