Coronavirus News

Japan Government Urges Firms to Aim for 70% Telecommuting as COVID Cases Surge

Japan’s economy minister said on Monday [July 27] the government would urge businesses to aim for 70% telecommuting and enhance other social distancing measures amid a rise in coronavirus cases among workers, some infected during after-work socializing. Though Japan has …

London Expects Only Half of Bankers to Return to Their Offices by Year-End

London’s normally buzzing financial districts will still be a pale shadow by the end of the year, as banks plan for no more than half their staff, who have mostly worked from home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to come to …

Order by Connecticut Gov Presumes Workers Comp Benefits for Essential Employees

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has signed an executive order that state union leaders predict will provide hundreds, possibly thousands, of front-line workers “presumptive eligibility” for workers compensation benefits if they contracted the coronavirus while on the job during the early …

Without More Aid, Many Small Businesses Won’t Make It

OAKLAND, Calif./NEW YORK — After surviving two strokes at age 27, Olivia Colt threw herself into starting a catering business, a lifelong dream. Ten years and another stroke later, she had built Salt & Honey Catering Plus Events into a …

Report Holds Optimistic COVID-19 Recovery View of Cannabis Industry

A new report out examining how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the U.S. cannabis industry shows consumer purchasing spiked, dropped, then started to stabilize in the time between when things began to unravel for the nation in March until recently. In …

Grant Program Now Open for Louisiana Small Businesses Harmed by Virus

Louisiana small businesses that have been hammered by the coronavirus outbreak and haven’t received federal aid can start applying for grants up to $15,000 to cover pandemic-related expenses, under a program created by state lawmakers. Grants in the $275 million, …

Michigan Drivers Got Nearly $95M in Premium Refunds in April, May, June

Michigan motorists are being refunded nearly $95 million in car insurance premiums due to a drop in driving and crash claims during the coronavirus pandemic, regulators said. The amount paid back varies by insurer. It typically was 15% to 20% …

Arkansas Music Festival Cited for Violations of Virus Safety Rules

An Arkansas music festival that attracted thousands of people last weekend was cited by the state for violating coronavirus safety rules after attendees were seen not wearing masks or following social distancing requirements. Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control cited organizers of …

COVID-19 Costs Push Chubb to $331M Loss in Q2

The coronavirus pandemic has forced global insurer Chubb’s net income to plunge, and in the second quarter, fall to a sizable loss. Chubb lost $331 million compared to net income of more than $1.1 billion during the same quarter in …

Brown & Brown CEO Sees ‘Sporadic’ Economic Recovery Ahead After Own COVID Recovery

Insurance broker Brown & Brown, Inc. reported second quarter revenues of $598.8 million, an increase of $23.6 million, or 4.1%, compared to the second quarter of the prior year, Commissions and fees increased in the quarter by 4.4% and organic …