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ALL DINING RESTRICTIONS AND MASK MANDATE LIFTED,
​ EFFECTIVE SAT. MAY 15th

Effective Saturday, May 15, 2021 per Governor Hogan's Executive Order. 

See the Maryland Department of Health Directive here. (updated 5/12/21)

Specific questions related to COVID-19 restrictions should be directed to Marshall Weston at mweston@marylandrestaurants.com
Media requests should be directed to Maroon PR via Nicole Durante at nicole@maroonpr.com

Executive Orders and Government Guidance Documents


Resources for Reopening & Resuming Operations

COVID Vaccinations & Restaurant Workers
The National Restaurant Association has compiled resources regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and restaurant workers. As a best practice, restaurants should encourage all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. However, some restaurants are considering going further by mandating it for certain employees. The NRA has created a guide to some legal questions raised by those wanting to go the extra step by mandating the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.
Second Draw of PPP Loans
The latest COVID-19 pandemic relief bill, approved in late December, created a second draw of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Eligible restaurants and small businesses can access $284.5 billion in new PPP loans, which can be fully forgiven if proceeds are used for allowable expenses during a selected 8-week or 24-week period that begins after the proceeds are received. 
Testing Sites & Response to a COVID-19 Positive Employee
The Restaurant Law Center have created these documents which outline what restaurant operators should do in the event of an employee testing positive for COVID-19. They address what to do if an employee is sick as well as what to do for employees who were exposed but are asymptomatic, and includes relevant links from the CDC, EEOC, or OSHA for additional guidance. 
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Guidance for Restaurants Responding to a COVID-19 Positive Employee
On-Premises Workplace Infection Control Practices 

Notice of Recall for Employees
As reopening begins, you may use the following Notice of Recall template to contact your employees prior to scheduling shifts so that they may declare their intention to return to work.
Notice of Recall template

The following checklists, provided by Ecolab, can be used to ensure operational readiness in foodservice establishments upon reopening: 
Workers' Compensation Insurance Alert
For those restaurants that have secured PPP funding The National Council on Compensation Insurance has released guidance for carriers that allows the exclusion of payroll from workers compensation premium calculations when the workers are being paid but not actually working. This is especially important when an employee may be working part time but the employer is paying full time wages, as some are doing absent federal government funding. The onus of wage separation is on the policyholder. The audit instructions attachment provides guidance.

Resources for Restaurant Owners​
Operational & Marketing Tools for Restaurants
The companies and products listed below are not endorsed by RAM.  However, they are resources that may be relevant to your business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Archive: RAM Statements & Letters to Local Government

March 16, 2020: RAM Statement
March 20, 2020: Restaurant Letter to Governor Hogan
April 4, 2020: Letter to the National Governors Association
April 20, 2020: National Restaurant Association Letter to House-Senate Leaders
April 28, 2020: MARYLAND RESTAURANT & BAR RECOVERY Advisory Group Report
May 15, 2020: Buffet Reopening - Letter to Governor Hogan
August 26, 2020: Maryland Restaurant Week "Sales Tax Holiday" - Letter to Governor Hogan
September 1, 2020: Reopening Requests for Restaurants in Phase 2 - Letter to Governor Hogan 
February 24, 2021: Request Lifting All Restaurant Restrictions - Letter to Governor Hogan
March 2021: Maryland Restaurant and Foodservice Recovery