Coronavirus update 5/11/20
Four-Phase Reopen Process
Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy. While industry specific guidelines are expected soon, there are some requirements that we as an industry can get in front of:
- Employee masks, hand sanitizer, hand washing and signage are the focal points to the Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that the Commonwealth is going to require of all businesses, regardless of the recovery phase.
- Operators that have not already done so, should begin to source these products
- If you are having trouble procuring any of these items, please let us know.
The food and beverage industry is already particularly qualified to adhere to these standards. When the MRA met with the reopening advisory board 10 days ago, this was a primary focal point of our presentation. We reminded and re-enforced that food and beverage establishments will continue to be the leader in safe sanitation practices, as they already operate in conjunction with FDA, state and local officials to ensure and comply with mandated high standards. There is no other industry that is regulated as much as we are when it comes to safely serving our customers and protecting our employees.
The Four Phases announced are as follows:
- Phase 1 will be “Start:” limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions
- Phase 2 will be “Cautious:” additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limits
- Phase 3 will be “Vigilant:” additional industries resume operations with guidance
- Phase 4 will be the “New Normal:” development of vaccine and/or therapy enables resumption of new normal
CLICK HERE
for information about the four-phased reopening approach.
CLICK HERE
for today’s presentation from the Reopening Advisory Board.
CLICK HERE
for more information about the Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards.
Expect more guidelines to be made available as we get closer to May 18th.
PPP Update
Secretary Mnuchin Supportive of Changes to PPP
In a recent WSJ article, the Secretary of the Treasury is giving some hopeful words on changes to PPP for restaurant industry:
“One of the things we’re particularly sympathetic to are the restaurants,” Mr. Mnuchin said in an interview on CNBC. “Many of the restaurants are just beginning to open up and have said that they’d really like to hold the money. They can’t do that; that’s not something we can do.
But we’ll look at a technical fix.
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The PPP is a continually evolving process. We will pass along guidance as it becomes available.
