NYSRA Daily Update: COVID-19 Outbreak | March 19, 2020

Federal
  • The National Restaurant Association is issuing an Action Alert for everyone to contact their member of Congress and ask them to support a Restaurant Recovery Fund. You can take action here https://actnow.io/recovery You can also spread the message on social media using the follow hashtags and tweets:
  • “Tell Congress to support restaurants and employees. Text RECOVERY to 52886. #restaurantrecovery”
  • Click here to tell Congress to support New York restaurants and employees. #restaurantrecovery”
  • “COVID is devastating the restaurant industry. Text RECOVERY to 52886 to urge Congress to act now. #restaurantrecovery
  • We received good news this afternoon from the President of Empire State Development that all counties in the state of NY have now received a disaster declaration from the SBA. The SBA disaster assistance loan application can be found here: SBA
  • Last night, the U.S. Senate approved, and President Trump signed, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which is Phase Two of Coronavirus efforts. This requires small employers (<500 employees) to offer paid sick leave for Coronavirus-related issues, with a 100% reimbursement from the federal government. More information here.

State
  • Today Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he will issue an executive order directing all non-essential businesses in the state to implement work-from-home policies effective Friday, March 20. Businesses that rely on in-office personnel must decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent at this time. The formal guidance document will be released later tonight.
  • The Governor also announced that banks in the state will suspend mortgage payments 90 days for individuals under financial distress, this will not affect credit ratings or result in any penalties. Fees at ATM machines and overdraft and credit card late fees also are being waived.
  • At the same press conference, the Governor was asked whether he would defer the sales tax payments for restaurants. The NYS Budget Director said an answer would be given tonight.

New York City
  • NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for a $12 billion relief package to help employees and businesses impacted by the pandemic. The plan would temporarily provide a universal basic income, would suspend the collection of fines and fees, and offer no-interest loans of up to $250,000 to affected businesses. It would also expand unemployment coverage and delay sales and other business taxes due in March. And if the federal government — which is currently working on a $1 trillion aid package — is unwilling to pay for it, then Johnson said the city could move forward on its own.

Communications
  • Please keep sending us information on whether you have temporarily closed or are open for takeaway and delivery. You can also update your membership profile by: 
  • Clicking here and signing in with your username and password
  • Select “Profile Update” in the blue bar at the top (middle column, second option)
  • Click the “Edit My Profile” button
  • Select “Update Your Preferences” (last option on the left)
  • Select options that apply
  • At this time, roughly 70% of the members who have responded are offering takeaway/delivery and 30% are temporarily shut down.
  • Monday’s recorded webinar is now available. To view, please click here. Additionally, detailed notes from the webinar are available at nysra.org.
  • Please follow us on social media and send us your questions there. Links to our social media pages are at the bottom of this email.
  • Released a press statement announcing that restaurants were eligible for SBA Disaster Assistance Loans, thanking state and federal officials for their assistance. 
  • Press interviews today included Forbes and News 4.
  • Here is a cross-section of recent coverage:
  • Eater New York – Article – Mayor Says NYC Should Prepare for ‘Shelter in Place’ Order This Week
  • Buffalo News – Article – Village of Hamburg, 42 North Brewing unite local businesses during brutal period
  • Times Union – Article – Merchants adapt to corona with home delivery, online shows and more
  • Albany Business Review – Article – 'It has to come now': Restaurants make a plea for support