Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Information and Resources

Last update: October 27, 4:56 p.m.

October 27

The Pa. House unanimously concurred on HB 425 (which contained an amendment that extends outdoor seating and the off-premise catering provisions until December 31, 2024). The bill now heads to the Governor's desk, and we expect him to sign it sometime next week. A quick refresher on what HB 425 contains:
- Allows a licensee that goes out of business to sell their liquor and wine to another licensee
- Streamlines outdoor seating provisions
- Eliminates the $500 fee for off-premise catering permits, allows an unlimited number of permits, and eliminates the 5-hour cap for events
- Takes effect immediately
Today, the House Liquor Control Committee reported out two bills related to wine expanded permits (WEP), both with party-line votes of 14-10:
- HB 662 (Mihalek—R, Allegheny): would increase the quantity a WEP can sell from four bottles to 12 bottles
- HB 1733 (Smith—R, Jefferson): would allow a WEP to sell wine until 2 a.m. Currently, a WEP can only sell until 11 p.m.
On November 1, the City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue will launch the City's new tax filing and payment website: Philadelphia Tax Center. This new site will change the way business owners will file and pay liquor and beverage taxes in Philadelphia. We'll continue to provide information on this change in the Daily Update.
- Beverage Tax: Starting Nov. 1, taxpayers must use the new Philadelphia Tax Center to file and pay Philadelphia Beverage Tax. The next PBT filing and payment deadline is Nov. 20, 2021.
- Liquor Tax: Starting Nov. 1, taxpayers can only file and pay electronically at Philadelphia Tax Center. Continue to pay monthly, with the next due date on Nov. 25, 2021. File quarterly returns starting in 2022.
The AP is reporting that the enforcement of indoor vaccine mandates proves to be uneven in the United States.
The Morning Consult sentiment tracker found that 72% of adults feel comfortable eating outdoors at a restaurant, compared to 64% who said they're OK eating indoors. That's the smallest gap between the two opinions in several months.
It's time for the 2021 Pennsylvania ProStart Pumpkin Carving Contest! Voting begins today on Facebook and Instagram. Whichever pumpkin gets the most combined votes will win that student a $50 Amazon gift card. Cast your vote before Oct. 31!
The PRLA Educational Foundation is now a recognized charity of the Round It Up America program. RIUA integrates with multiple POS partners and can run 365 days a year. If you are interested in bringing RIUA to your operation, please email Hope Sterner your name, business name, and POS system to get started.

October 26

The Pa. Senate unanimously passed HB 425 with an amendment that extends outdoor seating and the off-premise catering provisions until December 31, 2024. The bill heads to the House for concurrence, where it is expected to pass. A quick refresher on what HB 425 contains:
- Allows a licensee that goes out of business to sell their liquor and wine to another licensee
- Streamlines outdoor seating provisions
- Eliminates the $500 fee for off-premise catering permits, allows an unlimited number of permits, and eliminates the 5-hour cap for events
Sweetgreen, the 140-unit fast-casual salad chain, today filed its initial public offering. It will trade under the ticker symbol SG.
Today, the Pa. House advanced a measure intended to boost Pennsylvania beer brewers in competition with out-of-staters by closing loopholes for benefits intended for Pa-based brewers.
Airapy has developed an innovative and affordable tool for improving the mental health of workers in the hospitality industry. Our bilingual (Spanish and English) 5-week virtual workshop is designed to inform and actively engage participants about mental health, stress, and coping skills. You can learn more here.
Supply chain issues: There really are problems everywhere, even for small companies.
FDA vaccine advisers vote to recommend Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11.
It's time for the 2021 Pennsylvania ProStart Pumpkin Carving Contest! Voting begins today on Facebook and Instagram. Whichever pumpkin gets the most combined votes will win that student a $50 Amazon gift card. Cast your vote before Oct. 31!

October 25

It's time for the 2021 Pennsylvania ProStart Pumpkin Carving Contest! Voting begins today on Facebook and Instagram. Whichever pumpkin gets the most combined votes will win that student a $50 Amazon gift card. Cast your vote before Oct. 31!
The SEPTA union has authorized a strike if an agreement isn't reached on a new contract. The current contract expires at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 31.
AHLA today released findings from a new research report by JLL that examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel commercial real estate market through the first half of 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control today issued orders to implement the new travel policy announced by the Biden Administration to safely resume global travel to the United States. On Nov. 8, non-U.S. citizens who are not immigrants to the U.S. will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to fly to the United States.
The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Nighttime Economy is partnering to bring Narcan training and awareness to Pittsburgh's service industry. The free training takes place from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville. TRAINING DETAILS
A commission that will redraw Pennsylvania's state legislative districts approved using U.S. Census data for their map-making this year. They certified data today that will count 27,000 state prisoners as residents of whatever home address they give.
U.S. Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday night after being treated on an outpatient basis for COVID-19. Thompson is now recovering at home, where he plans to work virtually this week.
Join the Philadelphia Chapter at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 for a conversation around "Safe Work Culture." This virtual panel discussion will be moderated by Maria Campbell (founder of Cooks Who Care) and focus on mental health, wellness, and safety in the service industry. REGISTER
Over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published an op-ed by John Longstreet urging the Pa. Senate to move HB 1154, which would make cocktails-to-go permanent, streamline expanded premise for outdoor seating, and more.
- ACTION ALERT: HB 1154, which contains key recovery provisions for the industry, remains stuck in the state Senate waiting for a concurrence vote. If passed in its current form, this bill makes cocktails-to-go permanent, keeps the streamlined ability for outdoor seating, eliminates safekeeping fees, allows licensees to have unlimited off-premise catering permits, and more. The Senate could take action this week so call your senators today and ask them to move and support HB 1154! TAKE ACTION

October 22

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially endorsed booster shots for both the Moderna and J&J vaccines, one day after the FDA authorized the additional shots. In addition, the CDC endorsed a "mix and match" approach to boosters, meaning people do not need to match the booster shot with the ones they got initially.
With the introduction of the new PA Unemployment Compensation System, employers may be searching for a way to report refusals of work. Learn how to handle refusals of work with this helpful info from PRLA Preferred Partner, Focus HRO.
Consumers want more from their locally produced foods, including a positive influence on climate change, as well as an impact on sustainability. Join us on Oct. 26 or Oct. 28 via Zoom to learn about the trend of regenerative farming from the perspective of the farmers, distributors, and restaurant owners.
Philadelphia has updated its outdoor dining heating guidance. Read the guidance before cooler temperatures set in.
Pike County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free seminar for small business owners who operate seasonal businesses. The teams from the University of Scranton SBDC, Pike County Workforce Development Agency, and the US SBA will provide tips for staying powers every seasonal business operator needs to know on Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m. Register by emailing the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.
Pennsylvania restaurants and bars still crave the return of cocktails to go but have been waiting for months for the Senate to act on legislation that will once again allow them to sell alcoholic beverages to go.
- ACTION ALERT: HB 1154, which contains key recovery provisions for the industry, remains stuck in the state Senate waiting for a concurrence vote. If passed in its current form, this bill makes cocktails-to-go permanent, keeps the streamlined ability for outdoor seating, eliminates safekeeping fees, allows licensees to have unlimited off-premise catering permits, and more. Call your senators today and ask them to move and support HB 1154! TAKE ACTION