DAILY VRLTA UPDATE 4/6/20

NEXT VRLTA Call - TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 7, 2:00 p.m.   Join us today for an update call tomorrow, 4/7, at 2:00 pm Dial in information: 202.602.1295, conference ID 789-103-256#

LEAD NEWS: Federal Update The U.S. Department of Treasury has released the interim final rule for the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan.  This interim final rule applies to applications submitted under the Paycheck Protection Program through June 30, 2020, or until funds made available for this purpose are exhausted. We strongly suggest you work with your SBA approved lender and apply for these loans as quickly as possible. The demand for these loans is significant and it is important to be in the queue. Our partners at the Federal level, American Hotel and Lodging Association has been in frequent contact with the U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Small Business Administration, and many of the other agencies that are involved in administering the federal relief effort. To that end, a joint letter with AHLA, AAHOA, IFA and US Travel that includes nearly 50 questions that need to be clarified through guidance regarding the PPP loans. In addition, AHLA has send a letter to the SBA with questions that need guidance for the PPP loan program. The U.S. Department Of Labor Announces New CARES Act Guidance on Unemployment Insurance for States in Response to COVID-19 Crisis.

VRLTA Restaurant State & Federal Guidance Document Released To assist our restaurant members understand the COVID-19 federal relief programs that have been enacted, as well as to help provide additional guidance to our restaurants on many fre quently asked questions that deal with the actions from the Governor and state agencies. You can view that resource here.

Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week Makes a BIG Impact   Last week was Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week. This joint effort between VRLTA and VTC made a big splash with the media and on social media. Starting on March 24, the campaign received 120+ media mentions, including television, radio, print and online. Outlets picking up the story included major network television in RVA (WWBT, WRIC, WTVR, WRLH), Hampton Roads (WAVY, WVEC, WTKR), Roanoke (WSET, WFXR, WSLS, WDBJ), Charlottesville (WVIR), and Harrisonburg (WHSV); magazines including Virginia Business, Virginia Living, Richmond Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, and more; newspapers including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Suffolk News-Herald, the Petersburg Progress-Index, Potomac Local, Augusta Free Press, and more; and some radio across the state. Thanks to all who participated and got the word out. Going forward, we'll be promoting every Tuesday as Takeout Tuesday! Use the hashtags #TakeoutTuesdayVA and #VirginiaEatsLocal.

State Releases Guidance for Hotels/Motels being used as temporary shelter for homeless population   The Commonwealth of Virginia is currently responding to a public health emergency related to COVID-19. In an effort to provide shelter to the homeless population in hotels/motels across that state, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) have developed this guidance for hotels and motels. Because some people may not show symptoms but may be infected and at risk for spreading COVID-19, this guidance provi des basic information on COVID-19 and suggests best practices to mitigate the spread of the virus.  See the document here.

Continue to visit https://www.virginiaisforrestaurantlovers.com for more information about the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the tourism and hospitality industries. We are working to add additional resources, links, and news articles as they become available.