Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Information and Resources

Last update: July 23, 1:50 p.m.

July 23

The Pa. Attorney General's office yesterday announced charges against state Rep. Margo Davidson for stealing from the Commonwealth by filing fraudulent overnight per diem requests and other expenses, as well as hindering the prosecution. Rep. Davidson said in a statement that she plans to resign after being charged with theft relating to the misuse of campaign funds.
A state appeals court today refused to overturn an order that closed a western Pa. restaurant for disobeying Gov. Wolf's COVID-19 restrictions requiring its workers and customers to wear face masks.
Yesterday, PRLA was invited to attend a stakeholders' briefing by the Wolf Administration on proposed changes to existing regulations relating to Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act. The Administration is currently finalizing the proposed regulatory changes and will submit them to the Attorney General for review. After that, they will submit the proposal to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) where there will be an opportunity for public comment.
The U.S. Justice Department told Gov. Tom Wolf's office on Thursday that it has decided not to open an investigation into whether Pennsylvania violated federal law by ordering nursing homes to accept residents who had been treated for COVID-19 in a hospital.
Earlier this week, Republican Congressman and ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, Blaine Luetkemeyer, introduced the ENTRÉE Act this week to add $60 billion accounted-for funds to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. PRLA members who have a Republican member of Congress should urge them to support the ENTRÉE Act. The proposal achieves the same goal as the Restaurant Revitalization Replenishment Act but reappropriates existing recovery funds to the RRF and eliminates priority groups.
The City of Philadelphia is recommending (not mandating) that people wear a mask indoors regardless of their vaccination status to help quell the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
At a town hall in Cincinnati on Wednesday night, President Biden was asked by restaurant owner John Lanni what his administration was going to do to end the staff shortages. He replied by telling Lanni that he should increase wages and that the reason restaurants were struggling to hire people was that workers were considering 'different opportunities'. Restaurant operators took to Twitter to vent their frustration with the president's response. READ MORE
Wine Spectator has unveiled the winners of its annual 2021 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world's best restaurants for wine. This year's list features 70 establishments from across Pennsylvania.
ICYMI: Vaccines for all! PRLA is hosting free pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics across the Philadelphia area in conjunction with the Garces Foundation, Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Puentes de Salud, Temple Health, the William Penn Foundation, Unidos Contra COVID, and community partners. Upcoming clinics include:
- Sat., July 24 | 10 AM - 12 PM | Masjid Al-Madinah, Upper Darby
- Sat., July 24 | 12 - 2 PM | Don Pedro's Grocery, Upper Darby
- View all clinics & details at: www.prla.org/vaxphilly

July 22

Republican Congressman and ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, Blaine Luetkemeyer, introduced the ENTRÉE Act this week to add $60 billion accounted-for funds to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
The Philadelphia Department of Health announced Thursday that they are now strongly recommending that people wear a mask indoors regardless of their vaccination status to help quell the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
In the news: PRLA’s Level Up campaign was mentioned in an article from the Pottstown Mercury. READ
- PRLA Members: Post your open positions for FREE on PRLA's job board so that we can help promote them through our Level Up multimedia industry workforce campaign. For a limited time, non-members can also receive a complimentary posting by using the code COVID-19. POST A JOB
Developed specifically for the restaurant industry, ServSafe Ops is a powerful tool that helps ensure winning habits and success for your business. This easy-to-use app empowers your restaurant staff to succeed. PRLA members can try it FREE for 6 months! LEARN MORE
ICYMI: Vaccines for all! PRLA is hosting free pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics across the Philadelphia area in conjunction with the Garces Foundation, Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Puentes de Salud, Temple Health, the William Penn Foundation, Unidos Contra COVID, and community partners. Upcoming clinics include:
- Sat., July 24 | 10 AM - 12 PM | Masjid Al-Madinah, Upper Darby
- Sat., July 24 | 12 - 2 PM | Don Pedro's Grocery, Upper Darby
- View all clinics & details at: www.prla.org/vaxphilly

July 21

The PA Department of Labor & Industry is warning employers: unemployment compensation fraud attempts are on the rise across the nation and in Pennsylvania. Please watch out for these warning signs of fraudulent unemployment claims filed involving you or your company.
- Employers who can access the new UC system can use this guide to help you report fraudulent claims: https://bit.ly/3zhbqED
- Employers who cannot access the new UC system can use the SIDE E-Response system to report fraudulent claims: https://bit.ly/3BnGp3A.
Since the SBA launched the Restaurant Revitalization Fund back in May, many restaurants have been left with more questions than answers. Join the National Restaurant Association's Sean Kennedy on Monday, July 26th at 11 a.m. as he answers some of the most FAQs live on their Facebook page.
Congrats to the Historic Hotel Bethlehem on being nominated for USATODAY 10Best's Best Historic Hotel for 2021! Vote now to help them win.
Morning Consult has been tracking consumer comfort with returning to normal activities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Latest findings include:
- Comfort Dining Out Dips From Last Week’s Record High: Following last week’s high, the share of adults who said they currently feel OK eating at a restaurant dipped 1 percentage point to 70 percent.
- Comfort Taking Vacations Shows Signs of Stagnation: Comfort ended June at 62 percent before setting a record at 65 percent earlier this month. As of a July 15-17 survey, it dipped back down to 63 percent.
The Independent Fiscal Office recently released its July Labor Market Update showing an improvement in payroll job creation in the month of June. 23,100 part or full-time jobs were added in June. The Leisure and Hospitality industry saw an increase of 26,800 jobs, while healthcare saw 8,600 added jobs, retail 5,700 added jobs, manufacturing 4,800 added jobs, and construction 1,300 added jobs. Pennsylvania also saw a decrease in average weekly unemployment compensation (UC) claims, with 767,300 UC recipients receiving an average of $2,059, which is a 144,500 person drop from the number of UC recipients in May.
Congratulations to PRLA Vice Chairman Thomas Neely on being appointed the new Board Chair of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau!
PRLA Members: Make sure to post your open positions for FREE on PRLA's job board so that we can help promote them through our Level Up multimedia industry workforce campaign. For a limited time, non-members can also receive a complimentary posting by using the code COVID-19. POST A JOB

July 20

Over the past year, changing guidance from the Department of Labor has left tipped employers scratching their heads and wondering which rules apply. Join us for a webinar with Post & Schell, P.C. on Tuesday, August 3 at 10 a.m. for an overview of tip pooling and tip credit issues, explanation of current pay requirements, and upcoming changes. REGISTER
Philadelphia was recently named one of The World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2021 by TIME.
CBRE Hotels Research forecasts U.S. lodging demand will return to pre-pandemic levels by the fourth quarter of 2023. READ MORE
Lodging Magazine predicts that economy hotels and those within the limited-service segment are poised to outperform the rest of the industry this summer travel season. Click here for three reasons why.
FSR Magazine suggests five ways restaurant owners can entice workers to apply.
- PRLA Members: Make sure to post your open positions for FREE on PRLA's job board so that we can help promote them through our Level Up multimedia industry workforce campaign. For a limited time, non-members can also receive a complimentary posting by using the code COVID-19. POST A JOB

July 19

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation recently announced the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Snowmobile Program’s fall grant round. Grant funding will be awarded through a competitive application process. Applicants can apply for this funding starting Monday, August 2, 2021, and due by 4 pm on Thursday, September 30, 2021, by means of the Department’s online grant application portal. More information is available here.
The National Restaurant Association created a new fact sheet detailing the critical need for replenishing the RRF. We encourage you to share this information with others and join our call for additional RRF funding. If you haven’t already, simply click this link to add your voice and connect with your representatives in Washington, DC.
The summer tourism season is in full swing! Don't forget to keep your ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification up-to-date to ensure your business remains in compliance with state regulations. Click here to register for an upcoming class near you with our ServSafe partner, HRFoodSafe.
PRLA's biweekly Industry Update webinar with V.P. of Government Affairs, Melissa Bova, will be on break next week and will return on Wednesday, August 11th. REGISTER

July 16

Yesterday, the AP reported on the federal unemployment data, noting that jobless claims have steadily declined since their peak in early January. Today, the AP reported on Pennsylvania's unemployment rate for June, which came in at 6.9% — a whole point above the national unemployment rate of 5.9%.
PRLA preferred partner FocusHRO presents some helpful tips and information to help attract talent post-pandemic.
While restaurant sales plunged on average last year, a third of the chains in the Technomic Top 500 added locations. However, on average, chains closed 2% of their locations, and, overall, the chain restaurant industry shrunk in 2020.
To honor World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, AHLA will be holding a virtual awareness and training event on July 30 at 11 a.m., including a 30-minute session tailored for hotel employees. While the fight to end human trafficking has no finish line, we can make a difference by raising awareness and training employees. Additionally, PRLA members are eligible for free human trafficking prevention training through our preferred partner BEST Alliance.
Earlier this week, the Lehigh Valley Chapter hosted its inaugural Lehigh Valley Scramble at the Steel Club in Hellertown. We thank all who participated and supported this sold-out event, which benefits the PRLA Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Hospitality Assistance Response of PA grant program. Check out pictures from the day's event on Facebook.
- Tee Sponsors: 29 Cooks Catering, Apollo Grill, The Bayou, Banko Beverage, Blue Springs Imports, Borderline Family Restaurant, Campbell Real Estate, McConkey Insurance & Benefits, MillerSearles LLC, XGolf Lehigh Valley
- Hole Sponsors: Barley Snyder, Detzi's Tavern, Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley, Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Kistler O'Brien Fire Protection, Lehigh Financial Group LLC, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Liquor License Sales PA/NJ, Martinez Hospitality, Northampton County Area Agency on Aging, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, PepsiCo, SYSCO Central PA, US Foods, Yocco's Hot Dogs
- Beverage Sponsors: Samuel Adams (beer), Banko Beverage (beer), The Wine Merchant LTD (wine), PepsiCo, ABARTA Coca-Cola
- Lunch Sponsor: Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, a Red Robin franchisee
The following members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation have not yet signed on in support of replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). If you reside in their district, please reach out to them via a phone call or message to urge them to support replenishing the RRF.
- Senate: Sen. Pat Toomey
- House: Reps. Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Fred Keller, John Joyce, Guy Reschenthaler, Glenn Thompson, Mike Kelly
PRLA, with the help of our partners at Food Shelter PR, has launched “Level Up,” a statewide multimedia campaign to showcase the opportunity and flexibility of employment within the hospitality industry. Level Up was conceived in response to the workforce shortage throughout Pennsylvania as a recruitment tool to welcome potential employees back to the workforce, feature training and advancement opportunities within the industry, and drive job-seekers to PAHospitalityJobs.com.
- PRLA members—make sure to post your open positions for FREE on PRLA's job board so that we can help promote them through this campaign. For a limited time, non-members can also receive a complimentary posting by using the code COVID-19. POST A JOB
- Use our #LevelUp digital assets to share about your organization's open positions on social media.
- A key component of this campaign is collecting and sharing stories from your employees on why they choose this industry and how the industry has helped them level up their skills, career, or dream. SHARE A STORY