Coronavirus Update 3/27/20
If you are receiving this daily update for the first time, all previous updates are available for members and non-members at our website
www.themassrest.org
Washington DC
Stimulus Bill - COVID Phase 3
The House has passed, and the President has signed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package into law on Friday.
For a summary of the impacts of the bill on the restaurant industry click here:
U.S. DOL Publishes Guidance for Workers and Employers
Massachusetts
Personal Income Tax Filing Extended to July 15
The Governor and Legislative leaders today announced an agreement to extend the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This income tax relief is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify.This date aligns with the Federal extension date announced earlier this week.
Beer and Wine to go Update
The House passed the legislation today authorizing beer and wine to go, but disappointingly the Senate is not in session until Monday. Both branches need to act to get this bill to the Governor.
Below is the language that passed the House. The Senate is back in session on Monday.
SECTION 12. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, during the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 10, 2020 as a result of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages on-premises may sell wine or malt beverages only for off-premises consumption subject to the following conditions: (i) the wine or malt beverage must not be sold to a person under 21 years of age; provided, that any delivery of wine or malt beverages for off-premises consumption shall not be made without verification that the person receiving the order has attained 21 years of age(ii) the wine shall be sold in its original, sealed container and the malt beverage shall be sold in a sealed container; (iii) the wine or malt beverage shall be sold as part of the same transaction as the purchase of food; provided however, that any order that includes wine or malt beverages shall be placed on or before 12:00 midnight; and (iv) a customer is limited to 192 ounces of malt beverage and 1.5 liters of wine per transaction.
Week in Review
The circumstances impacting the restaurant industry are changing hour by hour. There is no blue-print for what we are all dealing with, but we are confident that we are the most resilient industry regardless of the challenges thrown at us and we know we will all come out on the other side of this.
For more detailed information on any of the following issues, please head to the
- Division of Unemployment Assistance launches virtual town halls to help filers navigate the filing process
- Governor Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses to Cease In-Person Operation
- Restaurants are considered essential service provides
- Washington DC Update
- The effective date of COVID-2 (paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize employers) is April 2, 2020 .
- Department of Labor to Issue Regulations to implement law
- Best Practices for maximizing take-out and delivery
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Health Connector
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Project Bread
- US Senate Passes COVID-Phase 3 response legislation
