Massachusetts
9:30 pm business restriction will be lifted on Monday January 25th;
25% capacity threshold extended until February 8th.
The Baker Administration announced that effective Monday, January 25th at 5:00 AM, it would rescind an existing Early Closing order requiring many businesses to close at 9:30 PM each evening, and that at the same time it would also withdraw its related Stay At Home advisory urging residents to remain at home between the hours of 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
The Administration also announced an extension of the existing, across the board 25% capacity limits for most businesses and current limitations on gatherings through 5:00 AM on Monday, February 8th
New Round of MGCC Grant Recipients announced
638 additional small businesses in a fourth round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. Restaurants, bars and retail stores, which have been especially impacted during the pandemic, are among the key industries to lead this round.
Additional grants will be announced in the coming weeks for thousands of additional businesses.
MGCC is continuing to review the "Sector-specific" grant applications. Award notifications for that round of grants will be made available in February. Applicants will be able to review the status of their application through the Submittable portal.
Washington DC
National Restaurant Association statement in support of President Biden's comprehensive immigration reform plan released yesterday
“The restaurant industry today reflects the cultural traditions and hard work of immigrants who come to America seeking a better life. They add to the vast diversity that makes our smallest to largest restaurants cornerstones of their communities. The National Restaurant Association continues to support comprehensive immigration reform that expands opportunities for businesses seeking employees and immigrants pursuing the American Dream, and we applaud President Biden for making it a top priority.
“We encourage Congress and the Administration to provide a pathway for legalization; create an effective essential worker program to meet workforce needs; secure our borders while facilitating efficient travel and tourism; and implement a reliable federal employment verification program. Our industry looks forward to working with all parties to find a unified approach to lasting immigration policies and reforms.”
