Valuable information presented by Life Sciences PA

Yesterday the World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Subsequently, President Trump addressed the nation to quell fears about the virus, announce a 30-day ban on foreign visitors from most of Europe and discuss the Administration’s efforts to offer business relief to companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The President is instructing the Small Business Administration(SBA) to begin providing economic loans in affected states and territories, is instructing the Treasury Department to defer tax payments without interest or penalties for certain individuals and businesses negatively impacted, and called on Congress to provide Americans with immediate payroll tax relief. Please click on the links provided to access information and resources for your business.

The House of Representatives appears likely to move another multibillion-dollar emergency aid package through its chamber in the very near future. The new bill released late last night would include immediate payroll tax relief and expand paid sick leave and unemployment benefit programs to help alleviate the economic impact of this public health emergency. As it stands, negotiations continue to occur on a final aid package.

Finally, if your company is researching and developing diagnostics, vaccines or treatments for COVID-19, please consider visiting MedicalCountermeasures.gov to learn about ways to partner with the U.S. government. In fact, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) released a solicitation for diagnostics earlier this week.

Additional information and resources can be found at the websites below:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health