This evening, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, making a number of retroactive improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program. Components of the legislation include the following:
- Extends the loan coverage period from 8 weeks to 24 weeks;
- Modifies the “75/25” rule, which had required recipients of the funds to use 75% of the money for payroll costs and to limit other costs to no more than 25% in order to be eligible for loan forgiveness. The new ratio is 60%/40% respectively.
- Asserts that loan forgiveness still possible if FTEs won’t come back or if revenue in December is below Feb 2020 levels;
- Five-year loan-repayment terms for future PPP loans; and
- Payroll tax deferment restored.
The National Restaurant Association has provided an analysis for how the bill would change PPP for current users, and that document can be found here.
On June 3, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-139 announcing Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening plan following COVID-19: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.
The plan allows for further reopening of the state beginning Friday, June 5. All counties with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties may move into Phase 2.
Phase 2 allows for restaurants to serve at the bar with social distancing. Bars can open at a 50% capacity indoors with recommended social distancing. There will be no limit on capacity for outdoor seating as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Entertainment business including movie theaters and bowling alleys can also operate at a 50% capacity.
Watch the announcement here.
Executive Order 20-139 is available here.
This week, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) began approving vacation rentals on a county-by-county basis. Today, on May 22, DBPR approved the following counties to be approved for vacation rentals:
- Putnam
- Hernando
- Marion
- Volusia
- St. Lucie
- Lake
- Okeechobee
- Brevard
- Martin
- Orange
- Hillsborough
- Jackson
For a full list of vacation rental openings, please visit https://bit.ly/2TnOL74.
MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County plans to reopen to visitors Monday, June 1 by suspending the checkpoints on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 and allowing lodging establishments to take guests at 50 percent occupancy.
Monroe County lodging establishments, like hotels, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and other transient-licensed establishments will be required to implement sanitation procedures and follow the American Hotel and Lodging Association COVID-19 guidelines for enhanced cleaning practices (www.ahla.com). The timeline for removing the 50 percent capacity restriction for lodging will be determined at a later date.
Per Governor Executive Order 20-123, the County Administrator will submit a written request and safety plan to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary to seek approval for the operation of vacation rentals.
Airport screenings and bus restrictions will also be lifted on June 1.
This is subject to revision based on data regarding the prevalence of the virus within Monroe County, increased testing and contact tracing protocols, and the efforts in the adjacent counties to continue to control transmission of the virus. All other requirements are not lifted. Should the Florida Keys experience an increase in cases and under the advisement of the Florida Department of Health, restrictions may be heightened and/or amenities may again be closed.
Monroe County residents are urged to continue to follow directives set by the State, County, and municipalities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks in public settings, limiting group sizes to 10 or less, and physically distancing from others by six feet. More information on COVID-19 efforts in Monroe County can be found at www.monroecountyem.com/covid19. Tourism-related information can be found at www.fla-keys.com.
The Florida Keys have been closed to visitors since March 22 to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 15, 2020
TALLAHASSEE – Today, Tom Bené was announced as the new President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the largest food service trade association in the world representing more than 500,000 restaurant businesses. He will also serve as CEO of NRA’s Educational Foundation, which works to attract, empower, and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and food service workforce.
Mr. Bené most recently served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Sysco Corporation and was previously President of PepsiCo Foodservices.
“On behalf of more than 57,000 public food service establishments across Florida, I want to extend congratulations to Tom Bené for his appointment as President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Tom is known for his extraordinary leadership, character, and determination, and he is the right person to lead us through recovery. We look forward to continuing our great relationship with the NRA as we work to rebuild from the devasting impacts that COVID-19 has had on our industry.”
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
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On Monday, May 4, Phase 1 of Governor DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida plan will begin. Issued in Executive Order 20-112, the “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” plan will gradually re-open Florida businesses. The Executive Order permits restaurants in all counties except for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach to open indoor seating at 25% capacity with six-foot distancing between tables and parties no larger than 10. It also allows for outdoor seating with appropriate social distancing. FRLA developed FAQs to assist with member questions for re-opening. They are available here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Chambers
[email protected]
TALLAHASSEE – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-112 and announced a gradual re-opening of Florida businesses beginning Monday, May 4, in all Florida counties except for Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward, which will be phased in at a later date.
The Executive Order permits restaurants to open indoor seating at 25% capacity with six-foot distancing between tables and parties no larger than 10. It also allows for outdoor seating with appropriate social distancing.
“I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his measured and thoughtful approach to safely re-opening Florida businesses,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Our hospitality industry is eager to welcome guests, within social distancing guidelines, and get back to what we are so good at – creating memorable experiences for those we serve. We have full confidence that Governor DeSantis and this Administration will lead the tourism state we are so proud of back to economic vitality.”
To read the full Executive Order and the Executive Office of the Governor FAQs, click here. For FRLA FAQs on re-opening, click here.
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Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) released Re-Opening Guidance for Restaurants and Hotels in Florida. These standards were developed in consultation with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and have been shared with Governor DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force Executive Committee.
COVID-19 has devastated Florida’s hospitality and tourism industries, and while we are focused on public health, our goal is to reopen Florida based on scientific evidence and proper safety measures that inspire consumer confidence.
Governor DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force has launched a public comment submission portal open to all Floridians and asked for public feedback. We encourage you to
visit the portal to share your thoughts on safely re-opening Florida businesses and getting our industry on track to recovery.
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Office of Public Affairs
Press Release: April 24, 2020
Contact: Treasury Public Affairs, (202) 622-2960
Additional Guidance Regarding the Paycheck Protection Program
All:
Please be advised that today we released additional guidance regarding the Paycheck Protection Program:
An FAQ document has also been released by SBA and is available here.
For more information and updates, visit Treasury.gov/CARES and SBA.gov/PaycheckProtection
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