Dear WH&LA Lodging Member:
As you know, so much is happening each day on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic that just keeping on top of all the information can be exhausting!
Our goal is to not re-invent the wheel by summarizing resources created by experts, but to provide you with direct access to the experts information. Kudos go to the extensive AH&LA team who have lead staff on top of all the federal legislation and creation of guides and new programs to help our industry. Let’s start with AH&LA’s latest updates:
- Just a few hours ago the House of Representatives finally approved the “Cares Act” approved already by the Senate and now on its way to sure signing into law by President Trump. Due to the complex nature of all the components in this Act, we suggest that you view AH&LA’s newsletter just updated this afternoon.
- Today AH&LA released their Guide to Accessing Small Business Loans on the federal level. We have been deluged with questions on what federal options there are, so this may be helpful.
- AH&LA has also created an initiative entitled “Hospitality for Hope” (initially called Hotels for Hope) which has created a master list of lodging properties around the country who are interested in providing lodging for federal, state, and emergency and medical community groups or individuals when these communities reach out for assistance. Those signing up (over 200 properties just in Wisconsin already) will be on a list that will be customized to the government or agency’s local or regional request, so the requester will reach out direct to the properties meeting their criteria to outline their need to you to see if you can accommodate them. Yesterday for example, WH&LA was contacted by the fire chiefs of a Wisconsin county to see who they could contact about providing lodging for firefighters who are exposed to the virus on the job and need to be quarantined away from their families. Use the above link to get more information and to sign up if you are interested.
Another helpful new resource provided by Petra Risk Solutions is called
Closed Hotel Operations Recommendations
which outlines suggestions for Limited Service properties for Stand Alone Restaurants, and for Full Service properties.
On the state level, relating to Governor Tony Ever’s Emergency Order 12 “Safer at Home Order”, there were so many questions on interpretation that his office followed up with a
"
Safer At home FAQ’s”
to address many, but not all questions. Answers range from stating that golf courses are “not considered essential businesses” to clarifying that hotels and motels are considered essential businesses and may remain open (provided they comply with other requirements), and clarification that employees of essential businesses will NOT be required to have certification or documentation to come to work (provided the work complies with the Order), and much more. The WH&LA passed on some additional clarifications sought by members, one of which we received an answer: while all licensed public pools must be closed, hot tubs or whirlpools in private guest rooms are allowed to remain operational. We are still awaiting (3 days so far) confirmation that our original interpretation that “hotels and motels” is a reference to properties licensed as such is correct, so that licensed B & B’s and Tourist Rooming Houses can officially have an answer on any possible designation as an Essential Business by the state.
The WH&LA is working with our partners at the Wisconsin Restaurant Association in submitting viable recommendations to the state to provide you with some assistance in a variety of options to help during the pandemic crisis as soon as the legislature reconvenes in a to -be -decided method possible for the important discussions and decisions needing to be addressed.
The WH&LA will continue to provide updates when new information is known that can be valuable to lodging owners and operators in Wisconsin.
Thank you for your continued support and we wish you good health and plenty of fortitude as you face so many challenges.
Sincerely,
Trisha
