5/28/20 Update
LEAD NEWS: Governor's Update

Today during his press conference, Governor Northam announced that the earliest date that the Commonwealth will move into Phase 2 is June 5 (next Friday). Although recent numbers have been trending positive, he stated that the administration is continuing to move very carefully and deliberately forward. Northern Virginia, the City of Richmond, and Accomack County will move to Phase 1 tomorrow. These areas may also be able to move to Phase 2 as soon as June 5. The Governor expressed a desire for all areas to "[move] together at the same time."

The Governor also noted that all public beaches in the state can reopen if they have guidelines in place such as the ones that Virginia Beach has implemented.

Last, remember that tomorrow is the starting date for all Virginians to wear face coverings inside any public building. Again, the exceptions include:

  • While eating or drinking at a restaurant,
  • While exercising,
  • For those with a health condition that keeps them from wearing a face covering,
  • For those who may have trouble breathing and/or removing the face covering without help,
  • When communicating with a person who is hard of hearing,
  • While participating in a religious ritual,
  • When it is necessary to secure government or medical services, and
  • For children under 10.

The Governor stressed that this directive will not be enforced by law enforcement, but can be enforced by the VDH. He appealed to all Virginians to follow the advice. Read Executive Order 63 here , and get more information here about how the directive will be enforced.
Federal Update: Help Get PPP Fixes Across the Finish Line!

Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed a  bipartisan bill  fixing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act makes desperately-needed improvements for restaurants and others with PPP loans, including:

  • greater flexibility in how a recipients can use a PPP loan
  • longer timeframe for using a PPP loan
  • improving the rehire deadline to allow a PPP loan to be forgiven
 
More details on the bill can be found on the National Restaurant Association's  advocacy website
 
The bill was approved overwhelmingly in the House, but it has an uncertain path in the Senate. They need to hear from you now to pass this bill, fix the PPP, and preserve America’s hospitality sector!
 
Restaurants: Click here  to for the NRA action alert - contact your Senators.

Hoteliers:   Click here for the AHLA action alert - contact your Senators.

Thank you for supporting the hospitality industry!
Local Update: Fairfax County

Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency ordinance to help businesses move safely into Phase One by temporarily allowing outdoor dining, outdoor fitness, and exercise activities to expand outdoors into parking lots at 50 percent of indoor capacity without a permit and without going through a zoning process.  The full ordinance can be found here.
Local Update: VRLTA Staff Helps Pass out PPE Kits with ForwardRVA

VRLTA staffers worked today to help pass out hundreds of starter PPE kits to small businesses in the greater Richmond area. The kits included face coverings, hand sanitizer, gloves, signage, and more. For more information, visit www.forwardrva.com .
Reopening Resources

We continue to post resources related to reopening on our website. Visit this page for the latest reopening resources, and this page for the latest news.

PPE Resources -

  • Sysco - currently in stock: masks, gloves in a variety of sizes, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, surface sanitizers, and bleach - contact your sales rep for the latest product availability and pricing; also has a NEW reopening guide here
  • PFG - contact your sales rep for the latest product availability
  • Safeguard Promotional Products - facemasks and shields, hand sanitizer, gloves, gowns, acrylic shields (for checkout stands) - pricing here, or visit https://www.safeguardjack.com/ or contact Anne Meagher Watson at 804.355.2679 or Anne@SafeguardJack.com 
  • KO Distilling is producing Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer. More information can be found here.
  • The Hand Sanitizer Guys have bulk/wholesale hand sanitizer and hand sanitizing stations. Serving the NoVa and DC metro area.

Other Resources -

Virginia Restaurant Promise - Poster to print!

VRLTA has worked with health departments, localities, and restaurants to develop the Virginia Restaurant Promise, a set of commitments to employees and customers. We've put together a poster in three sizes that restaurants can print out and post.


Help spread the word!
Support the VRLTA Restaurant & Hospitality Relief Fund

VRLTA's industry relief fund is aiding workers displaced by the recent restaurant and hospitality industry shutdowns and also helping affected businesses. Over $30,000 has been raised to date!

Donations can be made through VRLTA's website at    https://www.vrlta.org/donations/donate.asp?id=19606   .
Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Merchandise Supports the VRLTA Relief Fund - Make a purchase to show your support today!

VRLTA has also partnered with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to create a Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers t-shirt, and other merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Fund. 

Continue to visit https://www.virginiaisforrestaurantlovers.com for updated information!