• The US Treasury Department continues to update its guidance on the Paycheck Protection Plan. Find the latest here: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequenty-Asked-Questions.pdf 
• The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Law Center has drafted an essential employee letter specific to New York that you can give to your employees. Find letter here.

• The latest data continues to fuel very cautious optimism about the spread of COVID-19 in New York State. Governor Cuomo announced today that average hospitalization rates, ICU (intensive care unit) admittance and intubations all have decreased over the past three days. The Governor currently is projecting that the State might be approaching a plateau in total hospitalization but is urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant in their social distancing efforts, which are the reason for any flattening of the hospitalization curve.
• Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order today covering directives he has announced over the past several days, including the redistribution of ventilators in the healthcare system, increased fines for social distancing violations, and the extension of “New York State on PAUSE.”
• The Governor today discussed “restarting life” – the economy, schools, and other systems – in conjunction with the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut. The Governor’s personal opinion is that testing will be the essential component of any cooperative strategy, so that (for example) those who have recovered safely from COVID-19 may return to work while more vulnerable individuals remain isolated. The three states will work to coordinate a plan for re-starting simultaneously in the near future.

• In light of the recent increase in 311 complaints against businesses for social distancing, we want to highlight the guidance issues specific to restaurants and food service businesses by the NYC Department of Health:
• Discourage groups of people from congregating inside and at entrances.
• Manage lines inside and outside by keeping customers 6 feet apart.
• If space is limited, allow only one customer inside at a time. 
• Limit access to retail spaces when occupancy reaches 25% maximum capacity to minimize crowding and lines.
• For complete business guidance, please visit the following link: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/novel-coronavirus-faq-for-businesses.pdf

• Westchester County Executive George Latimer is encouraging small business owners to take a survey about the impact of COVID 19 on your business. The deadline for the survey is Friday, April 10 Take the survey.

• Spoke with a reporter from the NY Post on what restaurants are doing to keep their employees safe.