As COVID-19 containment efforts are underway across the country, the US Senate is working to craft (Phase 3) the response efforts based on the Department of Treasury’s outline. Thus far, Congress has passed H.R. 6074 (Phase 1) that allocated $8.3 billion for developing a vaccine and preventing services and H.R. 6201 (Phase 2) which addressed medical, sick leave, and tax credits. Phase 3 is expected to take longer to negotiate than the previous two bills, due to the scope of $1 trillion in stimulus funds to address the economic ramifications of the virus on individuals, businesses, and industry.
Mitch Zeller, Director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA, released a statement today regarding domestic inspections during the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter reads, “To be consistent with the Agency’s position, CTP is issuing a partial stop work order to the entities we contract with at the state level for activities such as compliance checks and vape shop inspections. Although these inspections will cease immediately, administrative work can continue for two weeks, and the entire situation will be reevaluated over the coming four weeks.” This temporary/partial stoppage of domestic inspections is consistent with an official release from FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn that was released yesterday.