1. The SBA announced today that the $350 Billion Paycheck Protection Program funding has been fully depleted as of today. The AH&LA sent an Action Alert asking lodging owners/operators to asking for more funding through their Hotels Act portal today.
2. Today Governor Evers and DHS Secretary Palm released Wisconsin Emergency Order #28 which will go into effect when the current Emergency Order expires April 24. See below for an overview of the changes.
3. WH&LA’s One-Minute Survey results from today are also outlined below with the latest from over 145 participants over the last 24 hours.
4. Yesterday afternoon Governor Evers signed Wi. Act 185 on COVID-19 into law, after both the state Assembly and state Senate approved it almost unanimously. The final package ended up with a number of relief items in it, but no added relief funding for businesses. An overview is also below.
5. Yesterday Governor Evers released Emergency Order #27 related to the Joint Effort Marketing Program which contains a suspension of certain rules to give the Dept. of Tourism more flexibility in awarding JEM grants.

• As the current Order #12 expires at 8:00 am on Friday April 24, this order begins immediately at the expiration on April 24 and is in effect until Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00 am. This order will completely take the place of Order #12, with some changes incorporated.

• Hotels & motels will continue to be deemed “Essential Businesses” with the same core requirements as are in place now, except they are now also subject to additional new general requirements for all Essential Businesses:
• Restrict the number of workers present on premise to no than is strictly necessary to perform the essential operation
• Increase standards of facility cleaning and disinfection to limit worker and patron exposure to COVID-19, as well as adopting protocols to clean and disinfect in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace
• Adopt policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19

• As hotels & motels provide "in-person sales", it is believed that they must comply with a requirement to establish lines to regulate entry with markings enabling patrons to stand 6 feet apart while waiting (to check in or out). It is also suggested that alternatives to lines be determined in case of long lines (such as texting those waiting in a car that they can check in now). As this would primarily apply when a property has a large group check in and that is not happening, this would be under extenuating circumstances, but is still in the Order.

• Public and private golf courses will be able to be open, but only if they follow the following requirements:
• The use of golf carts is prohibited
• Social distancing must be adhered to, unless the players reside in the same living unit
• All tee times and payments must be made in advance online or by phone
• Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed. Any bar or restaurant may be open, but must comply with the regulations for bars and restaurants.
• Tee times must be spaced to avoid multiple foursomes congregating
• Driving ranges and miniature golf courses must be closed
• Maintenance staff must adhere to social distancing in their operations

• Parks and open spaces can be open, but local health officials can close them if they find there are too many people for social distancing, if there is vandalism, and if there are repeated violations to the Order. Local government does not have the ability to monitor or enforce social distancing.

• Essential Travel clarification was expanded to note that “travel to second homes or residences should be avoided if possible” plus language noting Wisconsinites should stay close to home, consistent with protecting neighboring states. 

• The ability for doing Minimum Basic Operations for Non-Essential Businesses was further clarified.

• 146 participants representing approximately 200 properties
• The majority were from independent properties, with franchise properties about 10% less
• The majority were from 1-50 room/unit properties, followed by 100+ rooms/units then 51-100 rooms/units
• The central region once again had the highest participation, followed by Northern, with southern and Milwaukee tied
• 60% were “Hotels”, 24% resorts, 13% motels, however all categories were represented
• For those operating individual properties, 52% are still open, 34% temporarily closed, 6% are open only for contracted business, and not one said they are or may become permanently closed
• For those overseeing multiple properties, 25 of the properties remain open; 14 are temporarily closed, 4 are only open for contracted business, 1 is possibly to remain closed, and 1 is permanently closed
• 40% of participants reported they have laid off 75 – 99% of their staff; 19% said they have not laid off any staff; 16% said they have laid off 50-74%; 11% reported 100% are laid off
• 49% of individual properties said they plan to open with a planned phase-in of staff; 16% will start with minimal staff and expand as needed; 13% said they will determine a certain number of days following the expiration of the Governors Stay at Home order before they open
• For those with multiple properties, 23 have a planned phase-in; 10 will start with minimal staff and add as needed, 3 will wait a certain number of days after the Order expires before opening, and 4 are seasonal and will open based on existing reservations
• 58% plan to provide immediate customized marketing to past contacts when they plan to start promoting; 45% plan to use 3rd party booking options; 38% said they will only use free marketing vehicles; 36% said they will pursue co-op marketing such as through WH&LA or local CVB's/Chambers. Only 9% plan to retain a marketing consultant to select their initial marketing
• 90% of respondents applies for the federal Paycheck Protection Program Loan, 49% applied for the Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and only 7% applied for the state WEDC 20/20 loan

• Waives the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits (this expires Feb. 7, 2021)
• UI benefit claims that can be tied into the public health emergency from March 12 – Dec. 31 would not be counted against the employer’s UI account (which addresses concerns over employer rates going up excessively due to the pandemic)
• The Work Share partial employment program previously only applied to employers with 20 or more employees, but this is changed to 2 or more, which helps smaller businesses to become eligible.
• Eliminates the concerns that those receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that are forgiven would have had to pay income tax on that amount.
• State income and franchise tax payments and estimated taxes are now due July 15 instead of April 15, with no penalties for this extension.
• Property tax payments will now be due October 1st instead of March 31.
• Language that would have encouraged municipalities to waive the high 18% interest fees plus penalties on past due property taxes (now due Oct. 1), was watered down in an amendment so now counties have to first approve this and then municipalities too, making it unlikely.