RESTAURANTS ARE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND ARE PERMITTED TO STAY OPEN!
Maryland citizens have been ordered to stay home, however people are still allowed to travel to restaurants
for carryout and drive-thru services. However, please follow social distancing and
do not allow customers to congregate inside or outside your establishment.
Specific questions and media requests related to COVID-19 should be directed to Marshall Weston at mweston@marylandrestaurants.com
Maryland citizens have been ordered to stay home, however people are still allowed to travel to restaurants
for carryout and drive-thru services. However, please follow social distancing and
do not allow customers to congregate inside or outside your establishment.
Specific questions and media requests related to COVID-19 should be directed to Marshall Weston at mweston@marylandrestaurants.com
Face Masks and Face Coverings
Many jurisdictions across the country are beginning to require the use of face masks/coverings while in public. Employers have also begun to require employees to wear face coverings as well. Take action to help protect your employees and customers. Make your own cloth face coverings and do not purchase N95 masks - they are needed by medical professionals.
VIDEO: How to make your own Face Covering
CDC Face Covering Guidance Sheet
RAM Member Alert April 1, 2020 - explains the three options available under the CARES act
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - beginning April 3rd small business can apply
PPP Overview
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
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
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
Resources for Restaurant Owners
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.
Download our Distance Socially, Eat Locally social media toolkit to promote carryout and curbside service at restaurants across Maryland. Use the hashtags #carryoutmaryland and #restaurantsinMD in your posts!
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
Many jurisdictions across the country are beginning to require the use of face masks/coverings while in public. Employers have also begun to require employees to wear face coverings as well. Take action to help protect your employees and customers. Make your own cloth face coverings and do not purchase N95 masks - they are needed by medical professionals.
VIDEO: How to make your own Face Covering
CDC Face Covering Guidance Sheet
RAM Member Alert April 1, 2020 - explains the three options available under the CARES act
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - beginning April 3rd small business can apply
PPP Overview
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
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
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
Resources for Restaurant Owners
- Small Business Administration - view all Coronavirus Relief Options
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) - Executive Summary. Haga clic aquí para español
- Frequently Asked Questions from Restaurants regarding COVID-19 restrictions. Haga clic aquí para español
- COVID-19 Food Safety - from the Maryland Department of Health
- Maryland Business Express - resources for Maryland businesses
- COVID-19 Tax Alerts (Sales Tax, Alcohol Tax, Withholdings, etc) - from the Maryland Comptroller's Office
- Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses - as of April 6th, no longer accepting new applications
- COVID-19: What should I be doing in my business?
- Handwashing Poster – English & Spanish
- Coronavirus Poster – English & Spanish
RAM Resources for Restaurant Employees
- Letter Stating that Restaurant Employees are Essential and permitted to leave their home for work. This letter was created by the National Restaurant Association and has already been used by other states with “Stay at Home” orders. Encourage your employees to carry this letter if by chance they are stopped and questioned as to why they are not in their homes. RAM has not heard reports from other states that restaurant employees have been questioned, but this letter is being proactive just in case
- RAM encouraging use of Food Pantries & Food Bank resources
- Donate to help restaurant employees
- Free online courses and training from ServSafe for restaurant and foodservice employees
- Restaurant Employee Relief Fund - created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Grants of $500 for restaurant employees. April 6th Update: The Fund is currently processing the applications received and is not accepting new applications at this time. An announcement regarding when new applications will open again will be posted later this week.
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.
- MyCheck Click To Order - Mobile and Online Ordering
- Essential Systems Solutions - Online Ordering
- Carey Sales & Services - Custom Safety Shields
Download our Distance Socially, Eat Locally social media toolkit to promote carryout and curbside service at restaurants across Maryland. Use the hashtags #carryoutmaryland and #restaurantsinMD in your posts!
- Square Graphic - Instagram/Facebook
- Rectangle Graphic 1 - Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn
- Rectangle Graphic 2 - Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn
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