'COVID-19 and the Exclusion for Virus and Bacteria,' by Larry P. Schiffer, Aaron Garavaglia and Ellen Farrell

[Editor's note: Larry P. Schiffer is a senior partner in the New York office of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, practicing commercial, insurance, and reinsurance litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Ellen Farrell, of counsel in the firm's Washington D.C. office, is a litigator with a diverse background largely dedicated to insurance and reinsurance disputes. Aaron Garavaglia, an associate in the firm's Washington D.C. office, focuses his practice on litigation, including insurance-related matters. This article first appeared on Squire Patton Boggs' website. Copyright 2020, Larry P. Schiffer, Ellen Farrell and Aaron Garavaglia.]

Insurance policies contain coverage grants and exclusions. Generally, …