SEC Provides Conditional Regulatory Relief for Public Companies and Individuals Affected by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on March 4, 2020 that it is providing conditional regulatory relief for certain publicly traded company filing obligations under the federal securities laws in light of the effects of the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The Commission issued an order that, subject to specified conditions, provides publicly traded companies with an additional 45 days to file disclosure reports that are otherwise due between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Among other conditions, companies or individuals utilizing the extension must convey through a current report (Form 8-K for domestic issuers and Form 6-K for foreign private issuers) a summary of why the relief is needed in their particular circumstances. A copy of the Commission’s Coronavirus Order is available here and the press release announcing the issuance of the Coronavirus Order is available here.

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