Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Information and Resources

Last update: October 23, 3:10 p.m.

Latest Updates
October 23

The Pennsylvania Conference for Women, in an initiative with PRLA, recently announced the recipients of the grants for Pennsylvania women-owned restaurants. READ MORE
Join PRLA on November 9 for our 100% virtual Annual Meeting. We pleased to announce this year's event is complimentary for the industry and features keynote speakers Tom Bene, president of the National Restaurant Association, and Chip Rogers, president & CEO of AHLA, as well as a panel discussion on industry recovery and the road ahead. Panelists include experts from the restaurant and hotel sector. MORE INFO/REGISTER
PRLA local chapters are seeking motivated individuals to join their boards of directors. Chapter boards are critical in connecting with and promoting the local industry. The deadline for nominations is October 31. LEARN MORE
NYC bars and restaurants can now start charging patrons a COVID surcharge of up to 10 percent. READ MORE
Disney considers a coronavirus-related lawsuit to force California's theme parks to open. READ MORE
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant donates Philly Special IPA sales to the Reading Terminal Market. READ MORE

PRLA's Statement on Today's Press Conference
PRLA has been advocating for a number of industry "lifelines" since March 19. It's unfortunate that the Administration is only now, nearly 8 months later, taking our requests seriously. While our industry desperately needs support, these olive branches will not sustain businesses that are still reeling from closures, shrinking revenue, and well-intended but ineffective mitigation efforts unnecessarily targeting restaurant operators. For example, the $20 million in licensee fee waivers only accounts for 2021 fees, does not provide relief for 2020 fees, and only amounts to about $1,500 per licensee, which doesn't compensate for the daily losses in revenue licensees are facing under the current orders. The PRLA has asked for federal and state funding packages. However, those only help if the industry is returned to the safe and rational operating guidelines from pre-July 15, which HB 2513 would have accomplished, and the majority of the legislature has recognized. A true lifeline for the industry would have been permitting HB 2513 to become law. If the restaurant industry is the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, then our Governor needs to understand our backs are broken.
-John Longstreet, President & CEO

October 22

This afternoon, Gov. Wolf held a press conference to announce that he will be asking the PLCB to waive licensee renewal fees for 2021, among other 'lifelines' for the industry. PRESS RELEASE
PRLA issued a statement in response to the press conference pointing out that the industry asked for these 'lifelines' nearly 8 months ago. READ STATEMENT
ICYMI: We issued social media graphics and messaging for the HB 2513 override vote. Please remember that 24 Democratic representatives stood with the industry on that vote so sending mass emails to the entire Democratic caucus is inappropriate. Instead, please thank the following Ds who stood firm in their support of our industry either via email or on social media:
- Reps. Bizarro, Burns, Carroll, Conklin, Delloso, Harkins, Kim, Kortz, Kosierowski, Kulik, Longietti, Markosek, Matzie, McNeill, Merksi, Mullery, Mullins, O'Mara, Petrarca, Readshaw, Sainato, Sappey, Snyder, and Ullman
  - Thank You Graphic for social media (download) | [Rep Name-tagged], thank you for standing with the industry by voting to override the veto on HB 2513. Your support will not go unnoticed.
- The following 12 Ds flipped their votes (supported HB 2513 in September but voted to sustain the veto in October): Reps. Ciresi, Tina Davis, Deasy, Driscoll, Hill-Evans, Flynn, Galloway, Kirkland, Malagari, Solomon, Wheatley, Zabel
  - "No" Vote Graphic for social media (download) | [Rep Name-tagged], the industry will not forget where you stood when it came time to support our businesses and employees' livelihoods. We will continue to fight for the safe, sensible reopening of restaurants, and to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
In Philadelphia, Councilman Bobby Henon introduced legislation that would provide eviction and late fee protection to restaurants impacted by the COVID crisis.

October 21

Last night, the House failed to override the Governor's veto of HB 2513. Read PRLA's statement.
Similarly to our Action Alert for HB 2513, PRLA has created graphics for you to use on your social channels to thank those representatives who stood with the industry, especially those who reached across the aisle, and call out those who flipped their vote.
- Thank You Graphic (download) | [Rep Name-tagged], thank you for standing with the industry by voting to override the veto on HB 2513. Your support will not go unnoticed.
- "No" Vote Graphic (download) | [Rep Name-tagged], the industry will not forget where you stood when it came time to support our businesses and employees' livelihoods. We will continue to fight for the safe, sensible reopening of restaurants, and to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
On this morning's Industry Update webinar with Melissa Bova, she detailed what happened last night and what comes next. WATCH NOW
The PLCB issued updated guidance for licensees in all counties. This update deals extensively with the October 6 order on discrete indoor and outdoor events.
The National Restaurant Association today released updated re-opening guidelines, now called COVID-19 Safe Operating Guidance. The Guidance continues to focus on food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, employee health monitoring and personal hygiene, and social distancing. Each section includes a list of actionable items an operation should consider as it evaluates its safety procedures. DOWNLOAD

October 20

The House is considering a veto override on HB 2513 at the end of session today. Please keep up with your legislative contact using PRLA's HB 2513 Action Alert page. Your outreach is more important than ever for HB 2513. We'll post the outcome on our social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and issue a special edition of the Update when the vote occurs.
The outcome of the veto override will be discussed on tomorrow's 11 a.m. Industry Update webinar with Melissa Bova. REGISTER
Restaurant employment still 2.3 million below pre-coronavirus levels. READ MORE
What to do if your employee tests positive for COVID-19 can be found on the state's general business guidance.
The PA Chamber is hosting a free hour-long virtual program to showcase Pennsylvania’s road to economic recovery, forecast what businesses can expect in the year ahead, and provide exclusive insight into the 2020 General Election from state and federal perspectives. MORE INFO
ICYMI: Businesses who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $50,000 can now access a new forgiveness application designed to simplify the forgiveness and loan review process, as announced by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This “streamlined” PPP forgiveness form does not require businesses to show the calculations used to determine their loan forgiveness amount. However, SBA may request information and documents to review those calculations as part of its loan review process. INSTRUCTIONS | APPLICATION

October 19

We don't anticipate a veto override to take place today. We will update you on social if one is scheduled for tomorrow. Please keep up with your legislative contact using PRLA's HB 2513 Action Alert page. Your outreach is more important than ever for HB 2513.
During this afternoon's press conference, the Governor and Secretary of Health presented data on case counts, hospitalization, testing, and contact tracing. PRESS RELEASE
- Contact Tracing: Of the 8,580 positive cases in the survey period, 2,280 people generally responded to the tracing survey and 484 said yes that they visited a business.
  - 243 said they went to a restaurant (3% of positive cases)
  - 424 said they went to a ‘mass gathering’ (5% of cases)
Join AHLA on two webinars this week. The first, on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m., will be their government affairs team analyzing the chances of Congress passing additional coronavirus relief. The second, on Friday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m., features a live discussion with Frank Luntz, renowned public opinion researcher and communications expert.
Last week, Senate Majority Leader McConnell announced that the Senate would be voting on a coronavirus relief package crafted by Republicans on Wednesday. READ MORE
Today is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania. MORE INFO

October 16: PRLA Statement on Gov. Wolf's veto of HB 2513
This afternoon Governor Wolf vetoed HB 2513, which will have long-lasting and negative impact on the hospitality industry. Despite the communication from the governor’s office, HB2513 does not allow restaurants at full capacity, but allows restaurants to operate at 50% capacity. HB 2513 was passed with broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature and is vitally important to the restaurant, lodging, and event industries’ long-term survival. As the voice of these industries representing nearly 30,000 businesses and 700,000 employees across the Commonwealth, the PRLA has repeatedly asked the Wolf Administration to listen to struggling business owners and employees who want nothing more than to earn a living and protect their guests, employees, and families. The Administration has repeatedly rebuked requests for a return to the reasonable, well researched, and common-sense standards that were in effect before July 15.

As colder weather approaches and outdoor dining becomes less attractive, the Governor’s veto of HB 2513 and the new, illogical private event standards will produce more losers than winners and are an affront to the hospitality industry. The PRLA appreciates the continued support from the 36 Democrats in the House and 14 in the Senate who reached across the aisle on behalf of businesses and hospitality workers in their districts.

As we start to see COVID-19 cases rise across the state, we implore Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to educate residents on the greater dangers of hosting small gatherings in their homes, which ignore mask wearing and social distancing protocols, instead of placing further restrictions and undue burdens on the struggling restaurant industry.
-John Longstreet, PRLA President & CEO

October 16

As expected, Gov. Wolf this afternoon vetoed HB 2513. PRLA issued a statement in response. House leadership earlier this week announced their intention to hold a veto override on Monday, Oct. 19. In the meantime, your time to act is now! PRLA issued an ACTION ALERT on Tuesday to thank the 36 Democratic representatives who voted in favor of HB 2513 and ask them for their continued support. The HB 2513 Action Alert page has been updated to include messages and graphics for social media.
- Graphic 1, Graphic 2, Graphic 3
- Sample Message: [Rep. Name handle tagged], thank you for standing with restaurants by voting in favor of HB 2513 in September. We're counting on your continued support.
- Social media handles for those representatives spreadsheet
Yesterday, Philadelphia city officials hosted a webinar to answer restaurant operators' questions on the Winterization Guidelines.
Today, legislation that would extend the outdoor seating expansion in Philadelphia to Dec. 31, 2021, was voted out of Committee unanimously.
The BLCE issued updated guidance regarding bar service for ALL venues:
- May alcohol be served at bars under any circumstance?
  Seating at the bar is still not allowed; however, patrons can order a drink or food from the bar or counter but must immediately return to their seats to consume on site (and a meal must still accompany the purchase of alcohol for on-site consumption).
The health department isn't the only one who's looking out for food safety in your restaurant. Customers are paying heightened attention to cleanliness & compliance with safety protocols amid COVID-19. Register for an upcoming ServSafe class with PRLA partner HRFoodSafe.
ICYMI: The PA 30 Day Fund provided more than 600 Pa. small businesses with $3,000 forgivable loans/grants. It is currently seeking applicants from the following counties: Armstrong, Cameron, Carbon, Columbia, Elk, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Montour, Perry, Pike, Snyder, Tioga, and Union. MORE INFO/APPLY
The National Restaurant Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors is hosting a joint town hall for restaurateurs and mayors from around the country on Monday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. to discuss the challenges that the restaurant industry is facing and what mayors can do to help restaurants survive the pandemic and the years ahead. You are invited and encouraged to invite your mayor, too. REGISTER