Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Information and Resources

Last update: April 16, 3:11 p.m.

Latest Updates:
April 16

Philadelphia expanded eligibility to all adults (over 16 for Pfizer/over 18 for Moderna). There are open appointments and walk-ups available at FEMA sites in the city. Also, the PRLA's Philadelphia Chapter has partnered with Centennial Pharmacy Services for a vaccine clinic for the city's hospitality workers. Schedule a first-dose appointment between April 18-April 30.
Meanwhile, state officials are urging all Pennsylvanians 16 & older to roll up their sleeves to receive their vaccine shots.
Ahead of the Derek Chauvin verdict and in preparation for protests this weekend, the City of Philadelphia is asking businesses to secure or remove outdoor seating and accessories if they could cause damage or injury.
Safe Stay® is an industry-wide initiative developed by AHLA and focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19. AHLA recently released updated Safe Stay guidelines in English and Spanish to incorporate the latest CDC guidance.
Pennsylvania acting secretary for the Department of Labor and Industry Jennifer Berrier testified before the House Labor & Industry Committee earlier this week. During her testimony, she said the department is starting conversations about reinstating the work search requirements for those individuals collecting unemployment benefits. No timeline for when the reimplementation occurs has been announced.
The Associated Press is reporting that Pennsylvania's unemployment rate fell slightly in March, as payrolls expanded and every economic sector except for construction recorded growth. The leisure and hospitality sector remains down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels.
A human trafficking sting in Ohio resulted in 93 arrests. More than 50 victims were found and connected with services to assist their needs. As a reminder, PRLA members and your staff are eligible for free human trafficking prevention training through our partners at BEST Alliance. LEARN MORE
Stauffers, a York-based bakery, known for its Original Animal Crackers and other popular snacks is celebrating its 150 year anniversary in 2021.
Residents in Krakow, Poland had been afraid to open their windows for a few days after they saw a large brown cocoon-like object hanging off a nearby tree. When animal welfare came to investigate, they found out it not an animal but a croissant.

April 15

U.S. restaurants generated $61.2 billion in sales this March, up 13.4% from February according to U.S. Census data released today. Sales are still below where they were pre-pandemic but the surge in sales was across all restaurant types and driven by two things: 1) stimulus and 2) consumers' pandemic fatigue.
The ServSafe Dining Commitment has streamlined its enrollment form, making it even easier for restaurants to sign on. In return, participants will receive decals, digital marketing tools, a record of commitment, and more.
When voters head to the polls on May 18 for the primary election, they will be voting on three potential amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution. PRLA wants you to understand what your vote means and created this infographic to summarize the measures. Please visit Ballotpedia.org for an in-depth look at each ballot measure.
Craft brewers from around the country submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency asking the administration to ensure their businesses and communities maintain access to clean, safe waterways.
Industry experts: Hospitality, entertainment still haven't recovered from pandemic closings in Pa. READ MORE
The industry's labor shortage continues to make headlines with articles recently published by the New York Times, Washington City Paper, and The Counter.
Pennsylvania is expected to lose a Congressional district due to redistricting because of population shifts identified by the 2020 census.
PRLA is partnering with the ACF Harrisburg Chapter for a panel discussion on the vast career opportunities provided by the industry. Forward to your teams!

April 14

Duck Donuts, the Mechanicsburg, Pa.-based chain of donut franchises, on Tuesday said it sold a majority stake to NewSpring Capital, a private equity firm making a bigger move into the franchise space.
If you missed today's Industry Update with Melissa Bova, you can watch it on-demand here. A few highlights from today's discussion included the following points:
- The Pa. Department of Health vaccination guidance says individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine after exposure if they received their second dose of a two-dose series or their first dose of a single shot vaccine 2 or more weeks ago AND they have remained asymptomatic since their current exposure.
- The Chicago Tribune reported on updated EEOC and ADA guidance relating to mandatory vaccination of employees and employers' ability to ask workers if they have received the vaccine.
- PRLA will be hosting a webinar on April 22 at 10:30 a.m. with Katharine Batista, an employment and labor attorney, to address the legal issues and concerns with mandatory vaccination programs and other related topics. Register for this free webinar.
Rep. Tim O'Neal (R-Washington County) has proposed a bill that would allow consumers to buy distilled spirits in more places, including grocery and convenience stores.
This morning, PRLA's Melissa Bova was a guest on Philadelphia's Morning Answer with Chris Stigall to discuss Philadelphia's strict guidelines despite the state relaxing restrictions for indoor dining everywhere else.
Rep. David Delloso (D, part of Delaware County) has introduced a bill in the Pa. House that would legalize recreational marijuana with sales being through the state's liquor stores.
The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, held a hearing on the state of the travel and tourism industry during the pandemic. The hearing highlighted the pandemic's ongoing impact on tourism-heavy economies and the hospitality industry. Representatives from AAHOA and U.S. Travel. A recording of the hearing is available here.

April 13

Pennsylvania opened COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the PA Department of Health today notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until at least April 20 following the recommendation out of an abundance of caution in a joint release from the CDC and the FDA.
Rep. Kurt Masser (R—Northumberland) has filed legislation addressing one of PRLA’s COVID priorities—making mixed drinks to go permanent.
The PLCB has submitted two rule changes to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). One has to do with ethyl alcohol the second is to remove the $50 minimum purchase requirement to receive the 10 percent licensee discount.
The Bridge USA Coalition is sending a letter to President Biden regarding the J-1 Visa crisis. Interested businesses must sign on to the letter by Friday, April 16 at 5 pm.
- Businesses and Organizations can sign on via this form
Pa. Treasury and Labor & Industry announced yesterday that the two agencies have recaptured nearly $800 million of unemployment benefits targeted by fraudsters.
Today, the White House released state-by-state fact sheets that highlight the urgent need in every state across the country for the investments proposed by President Biden in the American Jobs Plan.
- View Pennsylvania Fact Sheet
The Lehigh Valley Chapter is hosting a golf outing on Monday, July 12 at the Steel Club to support the PRLAEF’s Scholarship Program and HARP Fund. The Red Robin Food Truck will be on site for lunch, plus on-course snacks and beverages including beer and spirit tastings. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
Hilton Named #1 Best Big Company to Work For, #3 Best Company to Work For in the U.S. READ
This spring, join Toast for a four-part virtual event series, each focusing on a different aspect of running a restaurant as we come out of COVID-19. The series kicks off April 26 with a spotlight on staffing, followed up by sessions in May and June on financing, on-premise dining, and digital hospitality. MORE INFO
Restaurant Business editor Peter Romeo penned an op-ed on why restaurants should care about Amazon’s union vote. Read why he thinks that the unsuccessful attempt to organize the Bessemer warehouse in Alabama could mean bad news is brewing for the foodservice business.
ICYMI: The National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference is just one week away. View the conference agenda and register HERE.
- PRLA members: use code PAFCMEMBER to receive a member discount on your registration.

April 12

The National Restaurant Association has had ongoing conversations with the SBA on the timing of the RRF grant program. The SBA provided a draft application, which informed the Association's Restaurant Revitalization Fund FAQ. The official application, website, and program guide could be released within the next two weeks. The Association's biggest takeaway from these conversations is that most operators should not feel the need to hire outside consultants to prepare their RRFG applications.
Pennsylvania officials today announced that all state residents 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines beginning Tuesday, April 13.
- The Philadelphia Chapter is partnering with Centennial Pharmacy Services for a vaccination clinic at the Centennial Pharmacy, 1020 N. Delaware Ave. First dose appointments are offered April 7-30 and second dose appointments take place May 5-21. When scheduling your appointment, select PRLA from the drop-down menu for their group. You must pre-register to receive the vaccine; no walk-ins permitted.
  - Schedule a first-dose appointment between April 12-April 16
  - Schedule a first-dose appointment between April 18-April 30
CBRE Hotels Advisory released its latest U.S. Hotel Outlook presentation. CBRE noted that the U.S. added over 900,000 jobs in March, with the leisure & hospitality sector seeing the biggest gain at 280,000. Demand for travel and hospitality are predicted to continue a strong rebound as commercial banks are showing steep and significant increases in savings for 2020.
The PA Chamber is surveying business operators on the impact of childcare on their business and workforce. Please take a few minutes to add your input. TAKE SURVEY
The SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application is currently closed after the system crashed nearly immediately after opening last week. The SBA is updating its resource page at sba.gov/svogrant.
ICYMI: The latest National Restaurant Association economic impact survey closes on April 14. The information collected is crucial to our ongoing advocacy efforts with elected officials and media relations efforts. TAKE SURVEY

April 9

The National Restaurant Association today released a new Restaurant Revitalization Fund FAQ with updated information about applications, eligibility, and figuring out grant amounts.
The IRS and Treasury Department yesterday issued guidance allowing a 100% business deduction for food or beverages purchased from restaurants, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. For clarity, the term "restaurant" means a business that prepares and sells food or beverages to retail customers for immediate consumption, regardless of whether the food or beverages are consumed on the business' premises.
Yesterday, Philadelphia Councilmember Allan Domb introduced a package of bills focused on reforming the city's tax structure to create an attractive environment for businesses, workers, and families. PRESS RELEASE | FACT SHEET
The New York Times reports on the restaurant industry's newest crisis, a staffing shortage from coast to coast.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is now offering to pay college tuition for employees pursuing specific degrees and have worked for the company for at least four months.
On Monday, April 12, Pennsylvania moves to phase 1C, which includes restaurant and hotel workers. Philadelphia hospitality workers are already eligible for vaccine appointments.
- The Philadelphia Chapter is partnering with Centennial Pharmacy Services for a vaccination clinic at the Centennial Pharmacy, 1020 N. Delaware Ave. First dose appointments are offered April 7-30 and second dose appointments take place May 5-21. When scheduling your appointment, select PRLA from the drop-down menu for their group. You must pre-register to receive the vaccine; no walk-ins permitted.
  - Schedule a first-dose appointment between April 12-April 16
  - Schedule a first-dose appointment between April 18-April 30
The Biden Administration today revealed its first 2022 budget request, outlining a set of priorities including funding for medical research, education, housing, civil rights, combatting gun violence, tackling climate change, and more.