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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.  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
SBA and Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.
The PPP was created by the CARES Act to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses to keep American workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The documents released today will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans.

Click here to view the application and instructions.
BROADENING OF PERMITTED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Governor Hogan has amended his Stay at Home order to broaden the list of permitted outdoor activities to now include individual and small group sports such as golfing, tennis, and similar activities; outdoor fitness instruction; recreational fishing and hunting; recreational boating; and horseback riding. Closed functions at state parks will be reopened, including all state beaches for walking and exercise, as well as playgrounds. Local governments will have the flexibility to take similar actions at their discretion. It will remain critical, however, that Marylanders continue to follow public health guidance and practice physical distancing. These changes take effect on Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 a.m.

Guidance for Reopening and Resuming Operations
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
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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

Executive Order requiring Face Coverings

VIDEO: How to make your own Face Covering

CDC Face Covering Guidance Sheet 


RAM Member Alert April 10, 2020 - proposed changes to the PPP and other relief programs, along with updated information on the CARES Act and the Federal Paid Sick & Family Leave Law

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - beginning April 3rd small business can apply

April 17, 2020:  Senator Van Hollen, Rep. Raskin & Rep. Trone asking for PPP changes to help restaurants

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


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
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.
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!
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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