Legal News

Officials in Seattle and San Francisco announced Wednesday that they are banning large public gatherings in an attempt to halt the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Governor Jay Inslee banned all gatherings and events of more than 250 people. The ban is specifically aimed at the King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties for the month of March. [...]

US President Donald Trump announced a new ban on travel to and from Europe late Wednesday night in a public address from the Oval Office. The President’s address began by discussing the nature of the pandemic and attempting to reassure Americans that they would survive this current disease. The President reiterated recent moves to fight [...]

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Wednesday that the coronavirus strain known as COVID-19 is now officially classified as a pandemic. The director also noted that although this distinction “does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus,” it should also be recognized that “we have never before seen [...]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Tuesday for the humanitarian release of Americans unlawfully detained in Iran amidst growing concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iranian prisons. Pompeo warned that the US would hold Tehran responsible if any of the citizens died from COVID-19, stating “our response will be decisive.” Pompeo later alleged [...]

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the first part of a stimulus plan Wednesday meant to safeguard Australia’s public health and economy against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The plan, worth A $2.4 billion (USD $1.6 billion), proposes opening up to 100 respiratory and fever clinics as the latest demonstration of continued support [...]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a two-week quarantine in a county north of New York City Tuesday. New Rochelle, a city in Westchester County, will be the center of the quarantine after authorities confirmed 108 cases of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in the county. This number of cases is the largest COVID-19 [...]

Iranian officials stated Monday that 70,000 prisoners have been released to combat the spread of the coronavirus within incarceration facilities. Last Wednesday, the government had announced the figure was 54,000. Iran has been one of the countries hit hardest by the outbreak of the coronavirus. As of Monday morning, Iran has more than 6,500 cases [...]

On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet suggested that international authorities put human rights “front and centre” while combating the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As the virus spreads, Bachelet called attention to the negative impact that containment efforts may have on peoples’ lives, noting that “people who are already barely surviving economically, [...]

Iran officials announced on Wednesday that they will temporarily release 54,000 prisoners to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Prisoners must test negative for the virus and post bail before they will be released. However, prisoners sentenced to more than five years of imprisonment will not be released. Currently, there have been more than 90,000 [...]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a directive Monday ordering state health insurance to waive the costs associated with coronavirus testing, “including emergency room, urgent care and office visits.” Cuomo made the announcement on Twitter, emphasizing that cost should not be a barrier to those seeking to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus. He elaborated [...]