Call with Governor Walz

Coalition Voices

Winter Outdoor Dining

OSHA Policy Shift

KOA Finding: Camping Grows

Yelp Research Report

Member-Only Pricing on PPE

On a call with Governor Walz this week, Liz Rammer appealed to the administration to revisit our 9/1 recommendations to increase the state’s capacity limitations. By allowing operators to use SD6/barriers as the foundational guide (instead of arbitrary percentage limits), allowing an increase in the number of patrons seated together, and expanding event capacity, the state can help provide much needed revenue for our operators. The health data supports that our industry has managed well since the dial turn on June 10, and we can do this safely. The Governor noted that the “vast majority of folks are following all the safety rules.” He also agreed to revisit our requests and respond swiftly, acknowledging that Hospitality Minnesota has made a clear case for the need for action now, as the state attempts to balance the public health concerns and socioeconomic needs of the people.

This week, Hospitality Minnesota added our name to two coalition letters urging much-needed relief for the industry. On the national level, the COVID Relief Now Coalition signed on more than 200 organizations to make an appeal to Congressional leaders, urging them to move forward without delay on the next relief package. Locally, Hospitality Minnesota joined the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition, the Community of Minnesota Resorts and the Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, to call on Governor Walz to designate a portion of Minnesota's CARES Act funding to the recovery of the tourism industry.

Recognizing that local leaders are often best positioned to help businesses in a crisis, the National Restaurant Association is urging operators to reach out to their mayors for support in exploring ways to extend the outdoor dining season. Permitting modifications, tax credits and special funding are possible pathways to extending the outdoor dining season. The City of Minneapolis has already published Winter Outdoor Dining Guidance.

Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, called for a competition that garnered more than 640 ideas for outdoor dining into the winter months. Some are fanciful and far-fetched, others might prompt an idea that could work for your business. Check them out; those ideas selected as the best will be announced in a few days.

If you'd like help directing an appeal to your mayor, contact Ben Wogsland at ben@hospitalitymn.com. And, if your municipality has published guidance, please send it along so we can share it with others.

Generally, in the face of Occupational Health and Safety violations (OSHA), a business may be able to reduce the penalty through credits, which can be granted on the basis of employer size, previous violation history and demonstrations of good faith efforts. Last May, Minnesota OSHA, in the Department of Labor and Industry, made the determination that they were not going to allow credits for enforcement actions related to OSHA violations during COVID-19. They have now rescinded that determination and are once again allowing credits to be used.

A special COVID-19 edition of the North American Camping Report, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America, Inc., confirms that Americans are turning to camping to social distance, naturally, and experience the outdoors.

Yelp reports in its September Local Economic Impact Report that 60% of its business listings have closed permanently. That's the bad news. The good news is that it is finding that many businesses are effectively transitioning to new business models while keeping their employees and customers safe.

We have a new partnership to offer exclusive members-only pricing on medical-grade Personal Protective Equipment solutions. BUY NOW!

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

Click this link to register: https://bit.ly/ervSafeOnlineBundleOctober

Our Member Update is generally only sent to members of the Association. During the first sixth months of the pandemic we included nonmembers in our distribution list. We wanted to make certain businesses across the industry had access to the information and resources they needed to navigate the crisis. To enjoy the current and coming benefits of membership, please join today. If you are a current member, please encourage other businesses to join. As an industry, we are stronger when we work together.

If you have a question about your membership status, please contact Trish Stevens at trish@hospitalitymn.com.

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