• We continued to work with the NYS Tax and Finance Department on the issue of monthly versus quarterly sales tax payments as first reported last night.
• A separate email on new announcements from the NY State Liquor Authority was sent out this afternoon. Read email HERE.
• The State Liquor Authority announced that all disciplinary and licensing hearings scheduled from now until April 30th have been postponed. A representative from Counsel’s Office will follow up with licensees and attorneys later to reschedule disciplinary hearings.  
• Budget Director Robert Mujica stated today that they believe the State could incur a budget hit from the ongoing crisis of as much as $15 billion.
• We received additional Interim Guidance from NYS Agriculture & Markets Department last night.
• Interim Guidance for Restaurants v.3 HERE.
• Interim Guidance for Temporary Seafood (Fish & Shellfish) Processing and/or Retail Sale HERE.
• NYSRA received an interim guidance document allowing restaurants, for a period of two weeks, using the guidance outlined herein, to operate as retail food stores without needing to apply for a retail food store license.

• A federal relief package known as Covid Phase III is continuing to be negotiated by Congressional Leaders. Developments are happening rapidly, and it is not yet clear when the final vote may be taken. The National Restaurant Association is working tirelessly to ensure the restaurant industry is included in the economic relief being proposed and updating us daily. As soon as we have additional details, we will share them with you.
• Jackson Lewis prepared a document explaining New York’s new Quarantine Leave Law for the National Restaurant Association: https://www.jacksonlewis.com/publication/new-york-s-new-quarantine-leave-law
• The National Association is compiling data on the economic impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry to better help us all quantify it. Please help us in our fight to save restaurants during this difficult time by filling out the survey.

• NYSRA Insurance Solutions issued a statement regarding voluntary benefits premiums today, and let participants know that any of our voluntary benefits such as UNUM Life Insurance, Cigna Dental, Delta Dental, HealthPlex, or Bluecross Blueshield of Western NY, are willing to work with you if you are having issues paying your premium. If you have any concerns or issues please contact Curtis Robinson at 518-452-4222 ext. 235 or via email: [email protected].
• Here are press clips from the last 24 hours.
• Print
• Yahoo Finance – Article – Chef Tom Colicchio on coronavirus: Restaurants should stay closed, even for takeout
• New York Daily News – Story – Strange times call for unusual food deliveries as coronavirus changes the way New York dines
• Daily Messenger – Article – Cuomo to NY residents: Stay home if you can
• Television
• BronxNet – Interview – NYS Restaurant Association | OPEN BxRx