The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA) have published guidance related to the reopening of schools. WHD has released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for workers and employers about qualifying for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The new FAQs explain eligibility for paid leave relative to the varied formats and schedules schools have announced as they plan to reopen, including blending in-person with distance learning. WHD is providing this information to explain the benefits and protections available under both the paid sick leave and the expanded family and medical leave provisions of FFCRA. ETA also released guidance that provides states with information regarding the eligibility of individuals who are caregivers for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao recently spoke with Mark Willis of Road Dog Trucking News on hours-of-service reforms and critical regulatory relief the Department has granted the trucking industry to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic. She called professional truck drivers “America’s heroes” and thanked their families for the support they provide.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, announced that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has increased the amount that employers can use to determine whether an overtime meal or allowance, or the meal portion of a travel allowance is taxable, from $17 to $23. The CRA has also increased the rate at which transport employees and other individuals can claim meal expenses, using the simplified method (a flat rate per person), from $17 to $23 per meal. These increases are effective immediately and retroactive to January 1, 2020.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the day-to-day lives of truck drivers while choking off many affordable and healthy meal options available to them on the road,” said Canadian Trucking Alliance President Stephen Laskowski. “Today’s announcement by Minister Garneau to increase the meal allowance rate for truck drivers is yet another example of how Ottawa is showing incredible support for the trucking industry and its workforce throughout the COVID crisis.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate has recently updated its Master Question List (MQL) about COVID-19 that quickly summarizes what is known, what additional information is needed, and who may be working to address such fundamental questions as, “What is the infectious dose?” and “How long does the virus persist in the environment?”

The MQL is intended to quickly present the current state of available information to government decision makers in the operational response to COVID-19 and allow structured and scientifically guided discussions across the federal government without burdening them with the need to review scientific reports, and to prevent duplication of efforts by highlighting and coordinating research.

In response to the ongoing coronavirus emergency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an extension of its emergency declaration, which will last until December 31, 2020. The extension is limited to transportation of:

– Livestock and livestock feed;

– Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;

– Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; and

– Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.

FMCSA’s latest declaration extension and other documents related to the COVID-19 national emergency are posted at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19.

As part of its comprehensive response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is educating workers with a public awareness campaign about workplace rights amid the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign includes a series of public service announcements in English and Spanish with information about the new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave benefits available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and other worker protections.

Wildfires raging out West. The hurricane season. Civil unrest. And all of this happening during a global pandemic that has claimed its own devastating share of deaths and cost people their livelihoods. In response to these events, the season of giving is starting even before the usual holidays, since we all just want to help where and as we can. Read the latest blog post from the Federal Trade Commission for tips on how to spot and avoid charity scams.