COVID-19: Latest Updates

This afternoon, the Governor announced another step in the reopening process. Effective immediately, New England residents will be allowed to visit NH without meeting the 14-day quarantine requirement. Please remember that the quarantine requirement will remain in place for all other visitors coming from outside of New England. This is another step in the right direction for our lodging businesses!
It does not look like the Governor will be easing restrictions on restaurant capacity any time soon. With all the news from Southern and Western states around rapid increases in cases and with Texas and California reinstating restrictions, we are expecting state officials to proceed very cautiously.
We have received reports from DHHS about complaints they are receiving from consumers that staff and/or guests in a number of restaurants are not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. I strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant and not let your guard down in maintaining state guidelines. Our greatest fear should be that the state decides to restrict our business operations more than they are now.
Wishing everyone a safe 4th of July weekend!
Mike Somers

Wage and Hour launches new FFCRA online tool
​Wage and Hour recently launched a new online tool that guides workers through a series of questions to help them determine if they are eligible for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  As America continues to re-open, this tool stands to help employees and employers to determine who is qualified for the FFCRA protections and benefits.  

New Hampshire Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF)
Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (“flex funds”) to provide emergency financial relief to support New Hampshire self-employed, for-profit businesses due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
Important Dates & Timeline:

• Application Period: July 6, 2020 – July 17, 2020
  
• Deadline to File a Completed Application: July 17, 2020
  

The Self Employed Livelihood Fund is only available to businesses that apply by July 17, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. All businesses who feel as though they are eligible should submit an application; however, only businesses that meet all of the Self Employed Livelihood Fund grant criteria are eligible to receive an award.
The Self Employed Livelihood Fund grant award amounts will be calculated similarly to the Main Street Relief Fund, with the maximum award amount a business can receive is $50,000.

Input Needed: Restaurant Recovery Priorities
The National Restaurant Association has prepared a survey that outlines some of the proposals they are considering as they update their Blueprint for Recovery and they need your input in identifying which ones to prioritize. Please take a moment to rank the proposals that would be most impactful for your restaurant or the industry as a whole. Together, we will continue to advance a policy agenda that reflects the unique needs of this vital industry. 

TAKE ACTION

Virtual Town Hall Series - COVID-19 & Police Violence: How You Can Support Your Black Employees.
​Racism and COVID-19 have become top issues facing Americans today. Blacks and Latinos are dying from COVID-19 at higher rates than other groups in the country, while the killing of George Floyd has placed discussions of race at the center stage. As businesses reopen, leaders will have to address the issue of structural racism and how staying silent on this issue puts their brand reputation at risk.

Join the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance for a Town Hall on Wednesday, July 8 at 2:00 p.m. and you'll walk away with:  

• A framework for having a healthy, direct, and solutions-focused dialog about race, racism, and COVID-19.
• Understanding from executives on how these developments have impacted their operation and community.
• Issue related best practices and policy changes to address the needs of their stakeholders.
• Ideas on how the industry can make a meaningful contribution towards ending racially biased policing.

This event is free but space is limited! Register here to secure your spot. 
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