Search Results for keywords:"COVID-19 public health emergency"

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted 68 exemptions to 26 licensees in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 public health emergency. These exemptions provide temporary or permanent relief from certain regulatory requirements, allowing facilities to manage staffing and safety measures more flexibly. Specifically, the record details exemptions related to work-hour controls, emergency preparedness exercises, and security personnel training to ensure operations can continue safely during the pandemic. The NRC is using a single Federal Register notice to compile these exemptions, enhancing transparency about the actions taken during this period.

The Department of the Treasury has reissued guidance for the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which distributes $150 billion to states, tribal governments, and eligible local governments to help them manage costs associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency. This guidance outlines how the funds should be used, ensuring expenditures are necessary and incurred due to the pandemic, fall outside the existing budget as of March 27, 2020, and occur within the defined period from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. It also provides nonexclusive examples of both eligible and ineligible expenses, discussing conditions under which funds can be used to support various sectors like healthcare, public safety, and economic relief efforts. Recipients need to ensure compliance and maintain records to avoid repayment of improperly utilized funds.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued two exemptions to Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC, allowing temporary relief from certain security requirements. These exemptions were granted in response to Holtec's request due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The exemptions pertain to regulations on the training and qualification of security personnel at the Oyster Creek and Pilgrim nuclear sites, aiming to maintain flexibility in personnel management while ensuring security measures and response capabilities are upheld during decommissioning activities. The NRC regularly updates the list of such exemptions to maintain transparency.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of guidance documents related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. These documents were released quickly due to the urgency of the pandemic and are open for public comments in line with the FDA's good guidance practices. The guidance is accessible online and serves as the FDA's current recommendations, but they are not binding. Public health determinations and a national emergency declaration underpin this accelerated release.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public feedback on its plan to gather information from the public in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This involves a revision of a currently approved collection process regarding the submission of 1135 Waiver Requests, which allows for certain rule relaxations during emergencies such as the COVID-19 public health emergency. The CMS aims to create a streamlined, automated process to manage these waiver requests and has introduced a new web form to simplify the process for providers. Public comments on this information collection effort must be submitted by March 22, 2021.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has announced a funding opportunity for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs to help address abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 public health emergency. These funds, totaling $4 million, are part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and are intended to enhance the capacity of Ombudsman programs to respond to residential complaints. State Agencies on Aging must submit a Letter of Assurance by March 3, 2021, detailing how the funds will be used and ensuring the funds supplement, not replace, existing resources. This opportunity focuses on improving complaint investigations, resuming in-person visits, conducting education and outreach, and more.

The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) will hold virtual meetings from March 3-5, 2021, as part of efforts to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The meetings will cover topics such as human event analysis, criticality analyses for nuclear fuel, and innovative nuclear technologies. Some sessions might be closed due to privacy and proprietary information concerns. Members of the public can participate in open sessions by calling a specific number, and those interested in speaking should notify the designated contact in advance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, is announcing a public meeting of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC). The meeting will take place on August 11-12, 2021, and will be open to the public. Participants may either attend virtually or at the Department of Transportation in Washington, DC, depending on the status of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Topics will include updates from Federal Emergency Services, FICEMS, and NHTSA Initiatives, as well as committee reports. Members of the public who wish to attend or speak at the meeting must RSVP by August 6, 2021.