The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has updated its “Common Questions About COVID and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” to address two COVID-era issues affecting people with disabilities. The list below are all the questions with short answers.

• Can a business stop me from bringing my service animal because of Covid 19? Answer: No.

• Does the DOJ issue exemptions from mask mandates? Answer: No.

• Can long Covid be a disability under the ADA? Answer: Yes.

• Is long Covid always a disability under the ADA? Answer: No.

• Are there resources that explain my rights as an employee with a disability during the Covid 19 pandemic? Answer: Yes.

• Can a hospital or medical facility exclude all “visitors” even where, due to a patients disability, the patient needs help from a family member, companion, or aid in order to equally access aide? Answer: No.

• Does the ADA apply to outdoor restaurants, sometimes called streateries, or other outdoor retail spaces that have popped up during Covid 19? Answer: Yes.

For the complete answers to these questions please click on DOJ Covid Questions and Answers.

Thank you.

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If you observe a facility or entity that is not ADA or FHA compliant, please contact ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, 615-752-0060, or inspections4ada@gmail.com.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities (not websites or mobile aps), as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.