Questions tagged [covid-19]
For questions about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on laws and other regulations, legal process and proceedings, and legality of action. Consider adding a location tag if the question is specific to a particular jurisdiction.
166
questions
2
votes
2
answers
140
views
How is the right to "speedy trial" being protected during pandemic?
The right of a person accused of a crime to a "speedy trial" is widely considered a fundamental human right. It is enumerated in a number of government constitutions.
However during the ...
- 21.7k
2
votes
2
answers
131
views
Laws blocking the use of dogs to detect the coronavirus at airports?
Is there a law or regulation that prevents the use of dogs to detect the coronavirus at airports in the United States as it is done already somewhere else? Do other countries have laws like these ...
- 145
3
votes
1
answer
115
views
Has anyone ever been fined for not wearing a mask in California?
California has a statewide mask order. I wonder if anyone has ever been fined for violating it?
- 1,284
2
votes
2
answers
177
views
Mail-in ballot dropbox
What prevents authorities from setting up a dropbox for mail-in ballots at local voting precincts (maybe something similar to testing where you do not need to exit your automobile)? I ask because in ...
- 6,955
0
votes
1
answer
160
views
Can POTUS make FDA approve a drug (such as hydroxychloroquine), or make it available over the counter?
President Trump is known to have taken hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a prophylactic against COVID-19.
Some prominent medical scientists also came out in support of HCQ for outpatients (as opposed to ...
- 1,284
5
votes
1
answer
254
views
Is ignorance of the law a valid excuse for not following emergency laws with no warning period?
Yesterday in Melbourne, Australia a State of Disaster was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new set of emergency laws came into effect, including an 8pm curfew, no travelling beyond a 5km ...
2
votes
2
answers
191
views
Dominic Cummings Trip to Barnard Castle - Manslaughter?
The UK government's cheif advisor took a trip to Barnard Castle in the middle of a nationwide lockdown. A clearly illegal act.
As a result of this, many people are choosing to flout lockdown rules ...
- 1,078
1
vote
3
answers
152
views
Do I have to break quarantine to return a leased router during a COVID-19 lockdown?
Before Covid, I was working in Chennai, India. I had a broadband internet connection and used a router provided by my ISP. Due to the lockdown, I had to move to my parents home in West Bengal, India (~...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
283
views
Can a university in the U.S. legally force students to get regularly tested for COVID-19?
I attend a university in the United States which has recently released its COVID-19 response plan, and part of that plan includes requiring that students get testing before coming to campus, and then ...
- 718
0
votes
1
answer
90
views
Covid19-related regulations in England
The official UK government site
https://www.gov.uk/
does not always explain how particular laws and regulations came to be. In particular, it says:
In England, you must by law wear a face covering in ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
122
views
COVID-19 canceled flight, refund request rejected?
I booked two domestic Malaysia flights with AirAsia in March 2020 for a value of 288 MYR (from a Malaysian city to another Malaysian city, and back; their codes starting with AK), which the airline ...
- 1
-2
votes
1
answer
241
views
Forced to take COVID test or go home without newborn baby
I just heard about a woman who wasn't even done with labor and was told she would have to take a COVID test. She and her husband respectfully declined as they said they had been quarantined. They were ...
- 139
3
votes
2
answers
183
views
Can I sue a publication for using my picture in an unflattering light?
I was walking down the street with my boyfriend a photographer asked if he could take a picture of us. We agreed and he snapped the photo and left. No consent forms were signed. Now the photo is being ...
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
What is a "family group" as it pertains to quarantine orders?
New York currently has travel restrictions in place, which require individuals coming in from specific states to quarantine for 2 weeks. They use the definition of "quarantine" as defined by ...
- 223
2
votes
0
answers
39
views
Are interstate and interdistrict travel restrictions legal?
This is an excerpt from the latest unlockdown (Unlock 2.0) guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs,
States/UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities ...
- 121
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Break lease agreement due to COVID-19
The mom holds B-1 visa (business visitor), can only legally stays in the USA one-half year. So the mom has to travel back and forth from the USA and her home country to get a new visa every half year ...
- 47
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I sue E-ZPass for excessive charges?
I don't have an E-ZPass account, so during the beginning of Covid19 the state of NJ or E-ZPass decided to suspend Toll collection. Every day I drove one exit north to get to work, each way was a ...
0
votes
1
answer
65
views
Interpreting the meaning of "additonal considerations" in Covid-19 reopening guidelines for cosmetology business
My wife and I are trying to interpret the document
Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments:
Appendix R Effective as of June 19, 2020t the document from LA County
Department of Public ...
- 185
2
votes
1
answer
119
views
Self-quarantine of neighbor broken, if infected, can I sue (civil)
Hopefully this is an allowed question. If not, I will delete.
My neighbor returned from overseas recently (if necessary for answering, Somalia). How she managed it, I don't know, or care. They are ...
- 678
21
votes
6
answers
13k
views
How does a requirement to wear a mask infringe civil liberty?
I come from a scientific background, so wearing a mask is second nature in a laboratory & clinical settings: I am biased because I do not want to infect patients or inhale pathogens.
That being ...
- 6,955
0
votes
2
answers
65
views
Is social distancing compliance the area of responsibility of the Police?
An excerpt from: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/volusia-county/os-ne-daytona-beach-shooting-investigation-20200524-wtjxnox26fhpxdriov5ccetlj4-story.html
Chief Capri said despite the various ...
- 6,955
3
votes
1
answer
252
views
Future resident, not prospective resident, schedules walkthrough of my apartment, is this legal?
Today my landlord informed me that
that next year’s resident has scheduled an appointment to tour the
apartment for Thursday May 28th, 2020 at 12:00pm
emphasis added by me.
Here is the quote ...
- 131
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
Amending a contract for COVID-19 for reasonable delay for a known event [closed]
I am negotiating a contract with a client prospect which includes the following Force Majeure clause:
"Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform its
obligations hereunder ...
- 111
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Will be asked to come back to work - wife cannot due to children
Due to COVID-19 all schools were closed (At least here in MI - I am certain everywhere). My wife's work is starting to ask when she will return. Unfortunately she has to become our 3 daughter's ...
- 231
1
vote
1
answer
72
views
Is the affirmative defense of self-defense available for the crime of terroristic threats?
According to this article, the DOJ may charge individuals who attempt to spread COVID-19 with terroristic acts/threats. Suppose that an individual, say Bob, is being assaulted or otherwise a crime is ...
- 3,568
2
votes
1
answer
184
views
Oklahoma city reverses face mask requirement amid threats of violence
https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-city-reverses-face-mask-requirement-amid-threats/story?id=70481052&cid=clicksource_4380645_4_three_posts_card_hed
OK and OH are reversing requirements \ ...
- 6,955
2
votes
1
answer
217
views
Is there legal precedent for restricting US citizens from interacting with each other on private property during a pandemic?
Many states (for example, Washington) around the US have issued an executive order prohibiting their residents from interacting with other citizens face-to-face, unless its a part of an "essential" ...
- 4,296
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
Law in Japan prohibiting (or just not authorizing?) fines "on people who refuse to stay home"?
France24 writes about Covid-19 handling in Japan:
Unlike in other countries, Japanese authorities are not allowed by law to impose fines or other penalties on people who refuse to stay home. That ...
- 3,086
2
votes
1
answer
181
views
Is the government of China immune from lawsuits by states and individuals in the US?
Some US states and individuals are suing China over the coronavirus.
Is China immune from such lawsuits due to sovereign immunity, or does such immunity only apply to the US government?
edit: NYT is ...
- 1,284
3
votes
1
answer
151
views
Can an employer require employees to be COVID-19 tested at their own expense?
In this case, the employer is a medium-sized ENT office. Some employees are young single mothers who don't have the resources to comply with this. The question also applies to non-medical employers, ...
- 33
1
vote
0
answers
452
views
Can old landlord withdraw money using ACH information without my consent
My landlord uses a web client called securecafe to automate rent payments. I enrolled to auto payment using ACH.
Due to covid-19 I had to terminate my lease early and leave my apartment. My landlord ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
144
views
Is it legal to retain citizen passport?
I applied for Thai visa in India, when Indian lockdown was started, visa center stopped operating. But they still didn't return my passport to me. They are saying " it is impossible because we are ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
71
views
Pictures of people breaking the law in Facebook
Within this COVID19 pandemic various activities were forbidden in Portugal, like spearfishing or catching crabs in rocks. Yet, some people insist on doing them (let's call them rebels) but in a "...
2
votes
1
answer
307
views
Can I be sued by a hotel in Germany
I signed a non-refundable contract for a group stay at the Westin Grand Berlin for May 8, 2020. The group had to cancel the trip due to COVID-19 pandemic. The hotel sent me an invoice for the balance ...
Tami Berkovits
3
votes
1
answer
771
views
Are You Allowed to Buy Groceries While in Self Quarantine? [Canada]
Canadians returning to Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Does this mean that these people must stay in their homes, and are not allowed to leave to buy groceries? The government ...
- 143
2
votes
1
answer
165
views
UK Estate Agent withdrawing house before occupancy without returning fees
In February, my relative agreed to rent a house. She paid a holding deposit, and after numerous credit checks the move was agreed - to begin on 1st April 2020. She paid the deposit and first month's ...
- 123
-5
votes
1
answer
130
views
Wrongful death suits against government officials
Can state governors be held liable in wrongful death suits where the deaths are proven to be a direct result of violating all known medical advice and scientific assessment?
I remember that anti-...
user28347
3
votes
1
answer
185
views
What does COVID-19 have to do with Live Audio at SCOTUS
The US Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments during Corona virus pandemic over teleconference. This is to comply with social distancing and prevent the spread of the disease. But why are they ...
- 171
1
vote
3
answers
142
views
UK Tenancy Renewal, Lockdown and the Law
Our fixed term tenancy will finish on 31st July; with a two month notice period. I believe it’s likely that we will still be in lockdown by the end of July. I think it’s very likely that we’ll still ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
69
views
Coronavirus Lockdown Laws - New Zealand
It is widely understood that New Zealand is in a "Level 4" lockdown due to the Coronavirus. While this is sensible and logical - can someone point me to the obvious f I am missing - how have these ...
- 3,470
1
vote
1
answer
84
views
How are UK contracts without force majeure clauses adjusted for covid-19 delays?
I have a scaffolding license with my neighbours which permits me to scaffold in their garden for an agreed period for an agreed price. The issue is that my construction work has stopped due to the UK ...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
94
views
In the UK, what is the difference between the Job Retention Scheme and furloughing?
I live in the UK, and work on weekends for probably the UK's biggest fashion retailer. I recently got an email from them asking me to consent to the terms of a new contract. In it, I noticed this ...
- 211
2
votes
0
answers
94
views
I’m being asked to come back into work despite government guideline to stay at home- What are my rights?
I work in an administrative role at the NHS.
Since the lock down measures started in the UK, I have been working from home.
As demand on the NHS has been increasing substantially, management asked ...
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
123
views
How specific can landlords be regarding Covid-19?
Are there any privacy protections which would prevent a landlord from including the name of a specific tenant in a warning regarding Covid-19?
For context: Recently my partner and I (we live in ...
- 3
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Does the New York State Governor have the authority to impose fines?
The New York State Governor has allegedly declared a "fine for violations of the state's social distancing protocol from $500 to $1,000...."
The government website claiming that declaration ...
- 21.7k
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Does ICE have the legal authority to arrest illegal immigrants who came into hospitals due to COVID-19?
I am wondering if ICE has the legal authority to immediately arrest illegal immigrants after they have received medical care at U.S. hospitals for COVID-19. I am referring to people who voluntarily ...
user30507
11
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Coronavirus - Exercise in a UK National Park
During the current Coronavirus lockdown in the UK (England), is it legal for me to:
a) Drive for over one hour (alone) to reach the start of my walk.
b) Walk for 4-5 hours (alone) keeping at ...
- 254
1
vote
1
answer
170
views
How do I get out of my university apartment housing contract?
Due to COVID-19, I have decided not to return to my university in April (which was my original plan.) However, my university-approved apartment complex will not release me from my contractual ...
- 3,060
2
votes
1
answer
185
views
What should I do when the landlord asks you to pay utilities when they were all included in the rent?
I am a student and I have rented a room with all utilities and internet included in a 4 bedrooms house in Canada. My rent is going to expire at the end of April. Before the COVID outbreak, my landlord ...
- 121
3
votes
1
answer
566
views
Tenant lost the job because of covid-19 and unable to pay the rent. Now what?
I own a condo apartment in Schaumburg Illinois. The tenant has lost her job because of COVID-2019 and is unable to pay the rent. I however have to pay the monthly installments as mortgage for this ...
- 151