Member Update
July 23 2020
What's Inside:
Clarification on Server Masks
Updated Guidance
Recovery, Round 4
Call to Action
Special Pricing Ends July 31!
Upcoming Online: Allied Network
In the News
Clarification on Server Masks
Yesterday's guidance was released with stronger, bolded language than previously used, suggesting that servers would now be required to wear a mask and a face shield when customers were not wearing a mask. Once we became aware of it, we reached to Commissioner Grove to insist that the provision requiring both be removed. The state has agreed that since customers are now required to wear masks, the provision is not needed and it will be updated in the guidance.

Updated Guidance
In addition to the Requirements and Recommendations Under Executive Order 20-81 , the state has updated several of the Reopening Guidance documents, including:


The mandate takes effect on Saturday, July 25.
Recovery, Round 4
Congress is back in DC, debating the 4 th round of COVID-19 relief, and we’ve heard from you that additional support is needed.

Based on our recent survey, over half of Minnesota hospitality businesses say business is still down over 50% and 65% indicate they will need further help to survive. 36% say they will not last another six months at the current rate.

Through our partnerships with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association , we’re pushing forward on several fronts and you can help. 
Call to Action!
Nothing is more powerful than your voice! Please contact your U.S. Congressperson and Senators today and tell them to support the survival of our industry. Remind them that the hospitality industry supports over 1 in 10 jobs in Minnesota and we cannot afford to let these businesses collapse.
 
Ask them to:
  • Authorize a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief. Increase the maximum loan amount, create greater expense flexibility and make them tax-deductible;
  •  Support S.4012 (the senate version of the Restaurants Act) to create a $120 billion recovery fund, with grants up to $10 million;
  •  Provide targeted liability protection to create a safe harbor for those acting in good faith to follow public health guidelines;
  •  Create a federal program to support business interruption claims by impacted businesses;
  •  Advance additional lending options, including:
  • New loan program with long-term maturity, deferred payments, low-interest and forgiveness provisions;
  • Expanded Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) funding and new advance grants for businesses experiencing significant revenue reduction; and
  • Tailored assistance for lodging companies with Commercial Mortgage Back Securities (CMBS) loans and expand access to the Main Street Lending Facility established by the CARES Act.
  • Expand tax credits for hospitality businesses, including:
  • Temporary travel tax credit for qualified travel expenses such as lodging, meals, recreation, transportation, entertainment, business meetings or events, etc.
  • Tax credits for customer and employee wellness expenditures for PPE, enhanced sanitation, and other efforts;
  • Enhance the Employee Retention Tax Credit, including making sure that businesses are eligible after a PPP loan is exhausted.

Additional information on industry relief efforts is available from the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the National Restau r ant Association .
Special Pricing Ends July 31!
SERVSAFE MANAGER COURSE
WITH ONLINE PROCTORED EXAM
Just $134 through July 31st!

Take the course and the exam from the privacy of your own home!

In The News
Our Member Updates are generally sent to members only. In the interest of public health and the health of our industry, we encourage you to share this update widely. Additional resources can be found on our  website  and through our social media posts on   Facebook , LinkedIn  and  Twitter .