Search Results for keywords:"COVID-19"

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a notice clarifying that businesses that started producing hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic are not required to pay certain facility fees under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These businesses, many of which normally produce alcoholic beverages, were allowed to make hand sanitizers due to a temporary policy by the FDA to address shortages. The Department emphasizes that imposing such fees would be inconsistent with the intent of the CARES Act and clarifies that these businesses are not considered drug manufacturing facilities under the law, unless they also engage in producing other over-the-counter drugs.

The National Institutes of Health is holding a public meeting on March 3, 2021, through Zoom, organized by the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee (DMICC). The meeting will focus on the topic "COVID-19 and Diabetes," offering a platform for different government entities to discuss ongoing and future diabetes programs. Interested individuals can submit oral comments by contacting the designated person at least five days before the meeting. Participation is open to the public, and details for registration can be found on the DMICC website.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced its meeting schedule covering the weeks of February 15 to March 22, 2021. The only meeting set is an Affirmation Session and briefing, both on February 18, 2021, at the Commissioners' Conference Room in Rockville, Maryland, which will be held remotely due to COVID-19, and the public can join via webcast. There are no meetings planned for the weeks of February 22, March 1, March 8, March 15, and March 22, 2021. For more information or to verify meeting statuses, individuals can reach out to Wesley Held or visit the NRC's website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received requests from the Utah and Minnesota Departments of Agriculture to use a new chemical, called the BIAXAM Polymer, on airport and aircraft surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This chemical is designed to give long-lasting protection against the virus SARS-CoV-2. Although the product has not been previously registered as a pesticide by the EPA, the agency is now seeking public comments before deciding whether to grant emergency exemptions for its use. The BIAXAM Polymer would be applied to surfaces to potentially offer an extra layer of safety for air travelers.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of virtual meetings from March 1 to March 5, 2021, due to COVID-19 concerns. The meetings will include various committees such as Law Enforcement, Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management, Mackerel Cobia, Snapper Grouper, and others. A formal public comment session is scheduled, and the Council will discuss issues like amendments for fishery management plans, the impact of COVID-19 on fisheries data collection, and updates on electronic reporting. Participants need to register for the webinar to attend the meetings.

The Cboe Exchange, Inc. has proposed a rule change, now immediately effective, to amend Rule 5.24, which deals with business continuity and disaster recovery plans. The change is primarily aimed at ensuring the exchange can transition smoothly to an all-electronic trading environment if their physical trading floor becomes inoperable, like during the COVID-19 pandemic. By extending the temporary rules to June 30, 2021, the Cboe Exchange hopes to maintain a fair and orderly market during such disruptions. The rule also allows for the potential use of a virtual trading floor if the physical one becomes unusable, ensuring continuity in trading practices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted an information collection request regarding "COVID-19 Pandemic Response, Laboratory Data Reporting" to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This proposed data collection aims to gather comprehensive laboratory testing data to aid in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic by tracking disease trends, facilitating contact tracing, and managing testing resources. The CDC is inviting public comments for an additional 30 days to ensure this collection is efficient, clear, and minimally burdensome. Interested individuals can comment on the necessity and accuracy of the data collection or contribute suggestions for improvement.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced its meeting schedule for early 2021 under the Sunshine Act. No meetings are planned for the weeks of January 25, February 1, February 22, and March 1. Public meetings will be held on February 11 and February 18 to discuss topics like dry cask storage of nuclear fuel and equal employment opportunity. Due to COVID-19, public attendance at these meetings will be virtual via webcast, and accommodations are available for those with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues to enforce temporary travel restrictions at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border. These restrictions allow only "essential travel," which includes returning U.S. citizens, travel for medical or educational purposes, and essential work, among others. Non-essential travel, like tourism, is not permitted during this period. These measures aim to limit the spread of COVID-19 and are in effect until February 21, 2021.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is proposing an extension of the waiver on certain fees for member organizations operating on the Trading Floor. Since the Trading Floor continues to operate with reduced capacity due to COVID-19, the NYSE wants to keep offering these waivers to help reduce financial burdens for these organizations. The extended waiver covers 50% of charges related to telephone systems and service fees, as well as trading license fees for eligible firms. The rule change was filed for immediate effectiveness to ease costs for firms affected by the pandemic-related partial closure of the Trading Floor.