APRIL 28, 2020

Reopening Guidelines from National Restaurant Association and ServSafe

The ServSafe and National Restaurant Association teams have developed reopening guidance to assist and guide the work of state restaurant associations and state governments with their opening plans. The goal with this first version is to help restaurants open safely and to reassure the public that social gathering for a meal is, again, a safe activity. Click here to read the guidance. The IRA is reviewing the best practices established through ServSafe, reopening policies in other states, and results from our IRA member reopening survey to guide our conversations with elected officials and public health experts about reopening restaurants in Illinois. We welcome additional feedback and comments on reopening strategies in Illinois. Please send any additional comments to Emilee Lyons .

New Executive Order Now Available, Stay at Home Order Extended Until May 30, Masks Required Starting May 1 Last week, Governor Pritzker announced that he will be signing an executive order to extend the state's stay-at-home order through May 30. This new executive order will also require all individuals over the age of two and without medical restrictions to wear a mask in public places where a 6-foot social distancing order can not be implemented. Click here to read a pre-filing copy of the Executive Order. This Executive Order will officially be filed on Thursday, April 30. This pre-filing copy is being provided to the public in order to inform the public about the changes to expect as of May 1. The underlining and strike outs identify the changes to the current Executive Order. Under this new Executive Order, restaurants will not be allowed to resume on premises dining until June 1. There will also be new safety rules for essential businesses - including a requirement that businesses must provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing.

Judge Blocks Illinois Stay at Home Order Extension, State to Appeal Late yesterday, a judge in downstate Illinois issued a temporary restraining order blocking Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home order from being enforced exclusively for one state lawmaker who filed the suit. It is important to note that this TRO only applies to Rep. Darren Bailey, and does not impact Illinois businesses or other residents. Other individuals and businesses could file suit using this order as a precedent. The lawsuit challenged the Governor’s ability to extend an emergency order past the initial 30-day period allowed under the Emergency Management Act. In response, Governor Pritzker noted that “this ruling has put the people of Illinois at risk.” The Governor has announced that the state, through the Illinois Attorney General, will appeal and will request a stay and there will be a status hearing in one week. Click here to read more from Chicago Tribune.

Comments to SBA on PPP Interim Final Rule Yesterday, the National Restaurant Association issued comments to the Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding the agency's interim final rule on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The letter outlines the series of necessary rule changes that will enable the PPP program to work for the restaurant industry. Click here to read the letter.

Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business - updated as of 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, April 28.

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