Coronavirus News

Lawsuit Challenges Reinstatement of Philadelphia’s Mask Mandate

Several businesses and residents have filed suit in state court in Pennsylvania seeking to overturn Philadelphia’s renewed indoor mask mandate scheduled to be enforced beginning Monday in an effort to halt a surge in COVID-19 infections. The lawsuit, filed in …

Philadelphia to Restore Indoor Mask Mandate Amid Covid Case Surge

Philadelphia is reinstating its indoor mask mandate after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, the city’s top health official announced Monday. Confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen more than 50% in 10 days, the threshold at which the city’s guidelines …

Denial of Restaurants’ Claim Upheld in First Covid-19 Ruling by a New York Appeals Court

An insurer has been upheld in its denial of coverage in a first ruling on Covid-19 business interruption insurance by a New York appellate court. The appeals court upheld a New York county court—and said it agreed with various other …

Omicron Sidelined 7% of Restaurant Chain’s Workers in January

One of the largest restaurant chains in the U.S. said that more than 13,000 employees missed work in January, due to the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, owner of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and other restaurants, said …

China Battling Multiple Coronavirus Outbreaks; Shuts Business Hub Shenzhen

TAIPEI, Taiwan — China banned most people from leaving a coronavirus-hit northeastern province and mobilized military reservists Monday as the fast-spreading “stealth omicron” variant fuels the country’s biggest outbreak since the start of the pandemic two years ago. The National …

California Becomes First State to Adopt ‘Endemic’ Virus Policy

California became the first state to formally shift to an “endemic” approach to the coronavirus with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a plan that emphasizes prevention and quick reaction to outbreaks over mandated masking and business shutdowns. The milestone, nearly …

Just 3% of White Collar Workers Want to Return Full-Time to Their Offices: Survey

Just 3% of white collar workers want to return to the office five days a week, according to a poll by management consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates, which warned employees will quit if bosses force them back full-time. A full 86% …

Washington Businesses Fined After 250 Workers Contract Virus in Same Warehouse

Three Washington businesses were fined after workers housed in Thurston County hotels and employed at a Lewis County distribution center got sick with COVID-19, and then walked to the hospital for help and feared they could lose their jobs if …

Judge Sides with Hawaiian Airlines on Vaccine Policy

A U.S. judge denied an attempt by seven employees to block Hawaiian Airlines’ policy requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination. The airline required U.S.-based employees to receive full doses of a vaccine by Nov. 1, while …

Threat of War in Ukraine Biggest Risk for Insurers of Beijing Winter Olympics

The threat of war between Russia and Ukraine is the biggest risk for insurers offering coverage during the Beijing Winter Olympics as an outbreak of hostilities could force team withdrawals or appearance cancellations, industry sources say. Olympic Games, top events …