Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Information and Resources

Last update: January 22, 3:32 p.m.

Latest Updates
January 22

Gov. Wolf today announced his intentions to nominate Alison Beam as Secretary of Health and named Dr. Wendy Braund Interim Acting Physician General. READ MORE
The Restaurant Law Center released a document to address questions surrounding mandatory vaccine policies. As a best practice, restaurants should encourage all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. This document addresses legal questions raised by those operators who want to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. A follow-up webinar on this topic is scheduled for February 11 at 3 p.m. REGISTER
The City of Philadelphia and PIDC today announced the Philadelphia Restaurant & Gym Relief Program, a $12 million grant program. The online application will open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, and close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9. MORE INFO
Univest Bank & Trust also announced a new micro-loan program for small businesses that operate in Philadelphia. The program loans are up to $25,000 with no payments in year 1 and a 1% interest rate. PROGRAM INFO | PROGRAM CHECKLIST | PROGRAM APPLICATION
The Pa. House and Senate return to session next week.
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.

January 21

The American Hotel & Lodging Association today released its first-ever State of the Industry report. Key findings include:
- Half of U.S. hotel rooms projected to remain empty
- Business travel expected to be down 85% through April
- Nearly half of consumers see vaccine distribution as key to travel
The National Restaurant Association yesterday issued a statement in support of President Biden's comprehensive immigration reform plan. READ MORE
Destination Gettysburg President & CEO Norris Flowers today announced his retirement, effective April 1, 2021. We at PRLA have appreciated the opportunity to work with Flowers and wish him well on the next phase of his journey.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. PRLA members and their staff are eligible for free training from our partner, BEST Alliance. If you missed today's webinar featuring experts from BEST Alliance, you can watch it on-demand here.
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.

January 20

Today, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Read the full text of his Inauguration Day Address.
- Tiber Creek Group released its Outlook for the Biden Administration's First 100 Days.
- Reuters released a graphic of President Biden's Cabinet picks, including direct appointments and those who will require Senate confirmation.
- The AP summarized the President's first executive orders.
If you missed today's Industry Update, you can watch it on-demand here.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. PRLA members and their staff are eligible for free training from our partner, BEST Alliance. BEST Alliance also will be headlining our "Combatting Human Trafficking in Hospitality" webinar tomorrow, January 21, at 2 p.m. REGISTER
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.
We apologize for yesterday's broken link to the CBRE Hotels Advisory Hotel Outlook analysis. The updated link can be found here.
The next round of PPP is now open to all lenders. The Small Business Administration today made live a searchable database for businesses to find eligible Paycheck Protection Program lenders. LOAN DETAILS/APPLICATIONS

January 19

The next round of PPP is now open to all lenders. The Small Business Administration today made live a searchable database for businesses to find eligible Paycheck Protection Program lenders. LOAN DETAILS/APPLICATIONS
President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pa. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health. READ MORE
Delco Feeds Delco helps support families of unemployed hospitality workers. If you or someone you know would qualify to receive the meal and at $10 gift card to ShopRite, please visit the website to apply.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. PRLA members and their staff are eligible for free training from our partner, BEST Alliance. BEST Alliance also will be headlining our "Combatting Human Trafficking in Hospitality" webinar this Thursday at 2 p.m. REGISTER
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.
CBRE Hotels Advisory today released its Hotel Outlook analysis. A few key findings include a slight improvement in Occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR over the last week, as well as an uptick in hotel closures-particularly luxury and upper-upscale hotels. READ MORE
PRLA extends its sympathies to the friends and family of Daniel Monaco, owner of Pittsburgh's Chelsea Grille and Café Monaco, who passed away over the weekend. READ MORE

January 18

The National Restaurant Association has submitted comments to the U.S. Treasury and Small Business Administration to request changes to the PPP Second Draw Interim Final Rule to maximize employee retention and save restaurant jobs.
PRLA extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of KeVen Parker, a Philadelphia restaurateur and entrepreneur, perhaps best known for the destination restaurant Ms. Tootsie's Restaurant Bar Lounge and his Ms. Tootsie's stand at the Reading Terminal Market. READ MORE
PRLA also offers our condolences to the family of Sen. Dave Arnold, who died Sunday following a battle with brain cancer. READ MORE
PrepMod, a system designed to automate vaccine rollout, has partnered with the Pa. Department of Health to help the public identify vaccination clinics or pre-register for a vaccine. While the vaccine rollout in PA is still in phase 1A, consider bookmarking this site for when Pennsylvania moves into the other stages.
A federal judge on Friday tossed a Pennsylvania restaurant's proposed class action seeking coverage from National Fire & Marine Insurance Co. for losses due to the coronavirus. Judge William Stickman IV found that the establishments limited to carry-out service had not sustained the "direct, physical loss" necessary to trigger their insurance poliecies. READ MORE
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.
ICYMI: The Small Business Administration announced that the PPP will be open to all lenders on Tuesday, January 19. Community development financial institutions are already accepting applications. LOAN DETAILS/APPLICATIONS
EatThis.com released its "Best BBQ in Each State" list over the weekend. Congratulations to Skeeter's Pit BBQ in Shamokin Dam for representing PA on the list!

January 15

Philadelphia today released revised guidance for restaurants as the City prepares to resume indoor dining tomorrow. Items of note include:
- Language in the Reduce Crowds section: "Limit indoor seating to 25% of the stated lawful occupancy for seated dining. If the lawful occupancy is unknown then the density must not exceed 1 person per 60 square feet in the dining area, including staff."
- Outdoor catered events with food are permitted with up to 25 people. Without food, it's10 people per 1,000 square feet, up to 2,000 people.
The organizers of 'Just a Taste' would like you to share your stories throughout the Jan. 26 show. If you are interested in sharing how the pandemic has impacted your business and employees or the creative ways you have made it work, please email Kendra Hepler at khepler@prla.org for details.
Senate Democrats today announced the Democratic chairs for the 2021-22 legislative session. READ MORE
Last night, President-elect Biden released his "American Rescue Plan," his framework for a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. The National Restaurant Association today issued a statement articulating concern that the plan would raise the minimum wage to $15/hour and eliminate the tipped wage since that would raise costs on businesses struggling to survive the pandemic. Vox.com summarizes key elements of the plan.
The "Visa Back to Business Study - 2021 Outlook," a global small business and consumer insight study, found that contactless payments are here to stay.
A recent Restaurant Business survey of operators revealed that only 20.4% of restaurant employers intend to require their staffs to be vaccinated. READ MORE
The National Restaurant Association today reported that restaurant sales fell to their lowest level since June, with the overall total restaurant and foodservice sales down $240 billion from expected levels. READ MORE
ICYMI: The Small Business Administration announced that the PPP will be open to small lenders today, Friday, January 15, and all lenders on Tuesday, January 19. Community financial institutions are already accepting applications. LOAN DETAILS/APPLICATIONS