Coronavirus Update 6/19/20

Connecticut Lodging Association

HOTEL REPORT: $287.1 LOSS IN TAX REVENUE FROM CONNECTICUT HOTELS IN 2020 DUE TO COVID-19 IMPACT

Download New Report by Oxford Economics with State-by-State Breakdown

New Haven, CT (June 18, 2020) – Today, Steve Matiatos, President of the Connecticut Lodging Association responded to a new report by Oxford Economics released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) that showed as result of the sharp drop in travel demand from COVID-19, state and local tax revenue from hotel operations will drop by $16.8 billion nationally in 2020 with a loss of $287.1 million in Connecticut. These tax impacts represent the direct tax revenue decrease from the severe drop in hotel occupancy being experienced, they do not include the potential, significant, knock-on effects on property taxes supported by hotels (nearly $9 billion nationally). See Full Press Release Here | AHLA Fact Sheet

NEWS

Connecticut could stand to lose $287 million in hotel tax revenue, study says courant.com

Experts estimate hotels can return to their occupancy, revenue levels by 2022 wtnh.com

Report: CT to lose $287M in hotel tax revenue this year hartfordbusiness.com

Coronavirus (COVID19) in Connecticut

Connecticut Update: as of June 18, 2020 | 6:30 p.m. portal.ct.gov/coronavirus

Overall Summary Total**; Change Since Yesterday

COVID-19 Cases 45,440; +81

COVID-19-Associated Deaths 4,226; +7

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19 176; -10

COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported 370,638; +4,722

**Includes confirmed plus probable cases

Counties and Towns with Cases of COVID-19

6/17/20 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 7ZZ: PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RESPONSE – REOPENING PHASE II

Latest Guidance

Phase 2 - Lodging Guidelines: English | Spanish
Gatherings Expanded: All social and recreational gatherings are limited to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. See below for full details.

Further Guidance Clarifications : The following questions have been raised from membership.

Restaurant table limits: restaurants are allowed to seat up to 25 inside and up to 100 outside. Meaning you can have tables of 10, 12, etc. both inside and outside now in Phase II.. Please see restaurant guidelines for further safety and cleaning guidance.
Coffee Maker in guestrooms: Coffee makers are permitted in guestrooms with added cleaning procedures and care. Self service coffee makers are not permitted in common areas.

Frequently Asked Questions on the State of Connecticut's Actions Related to COVID-19

For COVID 19 Information Connecticut Residents Can Call 2-1-1 or text CTCOVID to 898211

NEWS

Coronavirus in Connecticut: Live updates, hour-by-hour ctpost.com

New Study: Travel Spending in U.S. to Plunge 45% This Year

WASHINGTON (June 17, 2020)—Total travel spending in the U.S. is predicted to drop 45% by the end of this year, spurring renewed calls for federal measures to support the industry that was one of the top U.S. employers and exporters prior to the pandemic.

According to a forecast prepared for the U.S. Travel Association by Tourism Economics, domestic travel spending is forecast to drop 40% (from $972 billion in 2019 to $583 billion in 2020) while international inbound spending is expected to freefall a whopping 75% ($155 billion to $39 billion).

Click here to view the full forecast data.

AHLA Update

New State Data Report: AHLA commissioned and released a new report by Oxford Economics today to analyze lost state and local tax revenue from hotel operations due to COVID-19. The study reveals a $16.8 billion loss in 2020. AHLA secured an exclusive news story with Bloomberg which ran today and is being followed by a national and state media rollout in the coming days. Here are some of the report highlights:

In 2018, the hotel industry generated nearly $40 billion in state and local tax revenues, from sources such as occupancy, sales, and gaming taxes.

Congressional Commercial Real Estate Relief Letter: AHLA continues to request swift action by the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve to help thousands of small business hotel owners who are struggling to make debt service payments on their mortgages, including commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) debt to keep their doors open and avoid foreclosure. We are urging them to provide desperately needed relief to the commercial real estate market, including hotels. Please ask your Member of Congress to join this letter now!

AHLA Launches A New Series Spotlighting Luminaries. Building off the tremendous success of The Forum™, this new series continues a deep dive into the issues and forces that will shape the hotel industry of tomorrow. Join Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, as he engages business and political luminaries in thought provoking discussions on leadership in times of crisis, the state of our industry and future economic trends. In a time of great uncertainty, gaining insights and projecting a path forward is more important than ever. Registration is limited. Secure your spot today!

Thursday, June 25, 2020, 2pm EDT

THE FACTS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

AHLA On Demand Series:

Webinars

View Past COVID-19 Webinar Recordings

*Please login using your member ID to view the webinars.

The AHLA Safe Stay Advisory Council is working in conjunction with public health experts, scientists, and medical leaders to develop a series of best practices for the industry, including the following:

Enhanced cleaning guidelines throughout the hotel, including guest rooms, meeting spaces, common areas, and back-of-house spaces
Superior cleaning products with a greater concentration of bacteria-killing ingredients, in accordance with CDC guidelines
Social distancing practices and reducing person-to-person contact Increased transparency throughout the guest journey

NOTE: Guide is updated regularly - click below to download the very latest version.

Updated Stay Safe Protocols CLICK HERE

Download AHLA Stay Safe Member Toolkit

NEWS

U.S. hospitality sector: Signs of life, reasons for hope mpamag.com

Creativity and flexibility become key for the hotel sector's new normal hospitalitynet.org

Is It Safe to Stay in a Hotel? How to Lower COVID-19 Risks While Traveling goodhousekeeping.com

Second Stimulus Checks Vs. $4,000 Travel Tax Credit: Pros And Cons forbes.com

Lodging Reopening Guidelines

All businesses subject to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 reopening rules are required to self-certify prior to opening, this includes all lodging.

CLICK HERE to self-certify.

Guidelines:

Hotel and lodging guidelines here: English | Spanish
All phase 2 guidelines here.
CLEANING & DISINFECTING Follow federal guidelines (CDC, EPA) on what specific products should be used and how.
POOLS & GYMS Must follow Sector Rules for Sports, Sports Clubs & Complexes, Gyms, Fitness Centers, & Pools.
MEETING & CONVENTION SPACES Limited to current indoor social guidance per Executive Order: currently 10 indoor, 25 outdoor.
RESTAURANTS Follow Sector Rules Restaurants.

CLA COVID Resources: https://ctlodging.org/covidresources

View Webinar Here

COVID19: What is the current situation?

Follow guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state public health authorities. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Cases & Latest Updates 6/18/20 Cases in U.S.

Total cases: 2,155,572; +22,834

Total deaths: 117,632; +754

CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html

GUIDANCE FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING | CLEANING AND DISINFECTING TOOL

Consult EPA’s list of approved products for use against COVID-19. This list will help you determine the most appropriate disinfectant for the surface or object.

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential international travel. CDC recommends that travelers avoid travel to Brazil, China, Iran, Most European Countries, United Kingdom and Ireland
U.S. Travel: Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Do not travel if you are sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Do not travel with someone who is sick. Protect yourself and others during your trip.

World Health Organization Situation Report who.int

8 242 999 cases; +181 232

445 535 deaths; +5 245

Visit CLA's full list of Allied Partners

The Connecticut Lodging Association is a trade association representing and promoting the lodging industry in Connecticut. Want to know about CLA benefits and membership? Visit us at ctlodging.org/membership

Connecticut Lodging Association

860-635-5600 | info@ctlodging.org | ctlodging.org