SEC teleworking during coronavirus outbreak

The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance announced that its staff will telework to maintain continuity of its operations. During this time, the Division staff will continue to review filings, issue comment letters and accelerate the effective date of registration statements as requested and as appropriate, amongst other functions. 

Applicability

• Public companies and those seeking to become public

Key impacts

On March 10, 2020, a Division of Corporation Finance Operating Status announcement informed the public that it will maintain business as usual while staff work remotely. This announcement stems from SEC leadership’s request that staff based in Washington, DC begin teleworking as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement stated that during this period:

• Division staff anticipate maintaining normal time frames for filing reviews and other matters.
• Registrants should continue to contact the staff through standard channels (e.g. online forms, email) to submit questions, seek guidance or interpretation, or submit waiver requests, no-action or exemptive letters.
• Registrants should continue to submit filings through EDGAR.