DINING CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS LIFTED FOR INDOOR, OUTDOOR DINING
See the Maryland Department of Health Directive here.
RAM is actively tracking the county decisions and will publish the results below in the County by County section when they become available. You can check county-by-county resources HERE.
For now, the highlights of the statewide guidelines effective March 12th at 5pm are as follows:
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 Katy Ford at katy@maroonpr.com
For now, the highlights of the statewide guidelines effective March 12th at 5pm are as follows:
- Capacity restrictions are eliminated for restaurants and bars, however tables must remain 6 feet apart
- Banquet and Convention facilities may operate at 50% capacity, and tables must remain 6 feet apart
- Customers must be seated and cannot be standing
- Face covering rules remain in effect for customers and employees
- Barriers between booths may now be used instead of keeping every other booth closed
- For indoor dining, the maximum table size has increased to 10 people. The order does not mention a table capacity limit for outdoor tables.
- Self Serve Buffets may reopen – see the Maryland Department of Health Directive for specific requirements
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 Katy Ford at katy@maroonpr.com
County by County
The following includes the most up-to-date county information as it becomes available. Unless indicated below with an asterisk (*), counties will fall in line with the Governor's most recent Executive Order lifting dining capacity restrictions.
|
|
Executive Orders and Government Guidance Documents
- Healthy Workplaces Initiative from the White House (March 2021)
- Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERTC) Guidance (March 2021)
- IRS guidance for eligible businesses accessing up to $5,000 per employee in 2020 as long as it does not directly intersect with PPP payroll funds
- Notice 2021-20 makes major changes for those restaurants who accessed PPP in 2020, and permits many restaurants to access a credit is equal to 50 percent of qualified wages paid, including qualified health plan expenses, for up to $10,000 per employee in 2020
- COVID Restaurant Relief Grants by County
- Maryland Department of Health - Food Safety FAQ's (updated 11/30/20)
- Governor Larry Hogan Executive Orders - https://governor.maryland.gov/covid-19-pandemic-orders-and-guidance/
- Best Practices for Restaurants and Bars (updated 11/20/2020)
- Maryland Back to Business Website - https://open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness/
- COVID Safe Operating Guidance - created by the National Restaurant Association (updated December 2020)
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.
- COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Policies (January 2021)
- WEBINAR: Taking a Shot at COVID-19 -- What Restaurants Need to Know About Vaccinating their Workforce
- WEBINAR: Consumer Class and Mass Action Risks Facing Restaurants in 2021
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.
- PPP "User Guide" for Second Round
- List of Banks Accepting PPP Applications
- NEW Application for second draw PPP Form 2483-SD – Second Draw Borrower Application (Released 1/8/21)
- Application for first draw PPP Form 2483
Guidance & Resources - Policy Update for Restaurants – 2nd Draw PPP (Released 1/8/21)
- Top-Line Overview of First Draw PPP Loans (Released 1/8/21)
- Top-Line Overview of Second Draw PPP Loans (Released 1/8/21)
- Interim Final Rule #1 – PPP as Amended by Economic Aid Act (Released 1/6/21)
- Interim Final Rule #2 – PPP Second Draw Loans (Released 1/6/21)
- Accessing Capital for Minority Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns Guidance (Released 1/6/21)
- Procedural Notice – Modifications to SBA Forms 3506, 3507 and 750 CA (PPP only) (Released 1/8/21)
- Procedural Notice - SBA Procedural Notice on Repeal of EIDL Advance Deduction Requirement (Released 1/8/21)
Guidance from the Maryland Department of Health regarding Outdoor Seating
This guidance was provided to RAM this afternoon. We suggest that you contact your local health department for clarifications and answers to your questions. The information in today’s alert is what has been provided to us, and we are unable to provide any further interpretive guidance. Each county is permitted to act independently, therefore your local health department will be the best place for answers.
Employee Health Screening Questions
These questions have been provided by the Maryland Department of Health and should be used for all employees prior to their shift.
Health Screening Questions
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
Ensuring Physical Distancing Compliance
Restaurants and bars should use signage, distance markings, directional signs/markings, barriers/partitions, or other effective controls to maintain required physical distancing. Such controls should also be used at entrances to indoor areas for restroom use, carryout and delivery pickups. If feasible, consider exits that are separate from entrances. RAM suggests that designated employees be used as needed to help ensure compliance and monitor. You should develop processes and policies for compliance, and you should also communicate such on your website and/or social media so that customers know what to expect.
CDC Signage Resources and Print your own Signs
The following checklists, provided by Ecolab, can be used to ensure operational readiness in foodservice establishments upon reopening:
- Guidance for Resuming Operations - Foodservice
- Owner-Exec Checklist for Reopening - Foodservice
- Manager Checklist for Reopening - Foodservice
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.
Face Masks and Face Coverings - required beginning April 18, 2020
Governor Hogan's Executive Order will require all restaurant employees who "interact with customers" to wear a mask or face covering. Local health departments are permitted to require a more restrictive standard and many are requiring all employees to wear a face covering. Check with your local health department for their guidance and requirements. Make your own cloth face coverings and do not purchase N95 masks - they are needed by medical professionals. Many RAM Allied Members also have masks available for purchase.
- RAM Allied Members that sell masks
- VIDEO: How to make your own Face Covering
- CDC Face Covering Guidance Sheet
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- PPP Overview - created by the Department of the Treasury & Small Business Administration
- PPP Summary - created by the National Restaurant Association
- PPP Assistance for Small Businesses - US Department of Treasury
- PPP Borrower Information Fact Sheet
- PPP Example Sheet - see how to calculate your loan amount and how to allocate funds to achieve 100% loan forgiveness
- SBA Lenders in Maryland - if your bank does not work with the SBA, reach out to one of the approved lenders on this list
- PPP Application - see what information you may be asked to submit
- PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS APPLICATION FORM 3508EZ (Revised June 16, 2020)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
EIDL Summary - created by the National Restaurant Association
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
The tax credit provides all businesses with a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by employers to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers with 100 or fewer employees may claim the credit for all employee wages, regardless of whether the employer is fully operating or partially or fully shut down. Companies with more than 100 employees may claim the credit for employees who are on the payroll but not currently working due to the crisis. The credit is provided for the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, paid to an employee for wages paid from 3/13/2020 through 12/31/2020. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act
ERTC Summary - created by the National Restaurant Association
Resources for Restaurant Owners
- TRAINING VIDEO: COVID-19 Safety & Sanitation Guidance for Reopening
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act - summary created by the National Restaurant Association
- Small Business Administration - view all Coronavirus Relief Options
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) - Executive Summary. Haga clic aquí para español
- Maryland Business Express - resources for Maryland businesses
- COVID-19 Tax Alerts (Sales Tax, Alcohol Tax, Withholdings, etc) - from the Maryland Comptroller's Office
- COVID-19 Related Tax Credits - IRS website
- Tax Break on Net Operating Losses - National Restaurant Association website
- COVID-19: What should I be doing in my business?
- Handwashing Poster – English & Spanish
- Coronavirus Poster – English & Spanish
RAM Resources for Restaurant Employees
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.
- BELFOR's 3-Step Deep Clean System - BIOPROTECT™ antimicrobial technology for high-touch surfaces
- Contact: Jim Snyder or Todd Stiegler
- TITAN Air & Surface Sanitizers from AC Beverage - chemical-free, 24/7 sanitizing systems
- MyCheck Click To Order - Mobile and Online Ordering
- Essential Systems Solutions - Online Ordering
- Carey Sales & Services - Custom Safety Shields
- Patio and Overhead Heat Lamps - EMR is here to help winterize your outdoor seating area *supplies are limited and in high demand*
- Contact EMR's Parts Department: parts@emrco.com or 410-467-8095
March 16, 2020 RAM Statement
March 20, 2020 Restaurant Letter to Governor Hogan
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
Governor Hogan’s Executive Orders
Mission: We promote, protect and improve the foodservice & hospitality industry in Maryland
|
Restaurant Association of Maryland & Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation
|
6301 Hillside Court - Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: (410) 290-6800
|
Office Hours: Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm |
Copyright © Restaurant Association of Maryland & Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation