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Operations and Virginia
March 25, 2020
ALEXANDRIA - Governor's Order Now in Effect
Governor Northam's executive order to promote social distancing took effect at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. The order bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, closes non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses; permits food service establishments and farmers' markets to remain open only for takeout and delivery; permits essential retail businesses to remain open only with social distancing and enhanced sanitizing practices; limits non-essential retail businesses to no more than 10 patrons per...
March 25, 2020
ServSafe is offering their Food Handler course online for free for the next 30 days begining Wednesday, March 25. Additionally, they are offering new COVID-19 Take Out & Delivery courses at no cost.
For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe. Every day, we train the restaurant and food service industry on topics like cooking temperatures, safe storage, and cross contamination, as well as hygiene, sanitation, and other risk mitigation...
March 24, 2020
Restaurant workers are considered essential employees that can be asked to come to work even when there are federal, state, or local, shelter-in-place Orders. Still, more and more states and localities are restraining travel, particularly during certain hours of the day, while restaurant workers need to arrive earlier than the time restrictions to make bread, brew coffee, etc., and stay past curfew to clean, disinfect, and close the premises. Meanwhile, some restaurant workers are running into issues with law enforcement restricting workers movement to and from work.
The...
March 24, 2020
Dear Operators,
We hope you are all staying strong. Here are updates for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Restaurant Rescue Campaign
First, as we aim to tell your story and show the impact of COVID-19 on the food service industry, we will join a social media campaign tomorrow called #RESTAURANTRESCUEPLAN.
We will document on social media the number of employees who work at restaurants, bars and clubs in the region that have been laid off or furloughed to powerfully present to our government leaders and the public the devastation COVID-19 has had on our industry and why we need a #...
March 24, 2020
The Alexandria/Arlington Emergency Layoff Aversion Assistance Program will award 11 grants to local small businesses who require financial assistance in order to retain their workforce during the COVID-19 emergency.
How the Program Works
Participating businesses or non-profit organizations with employees located in Alexandria City and Arlington County that has 250 or fewer employees.
Fill out and submit the Emergency Layoff Aversion Assistance Program application at https://workforcecouncil.arlingtonva.us/covid19/
Application requests shall not exceed $7,500. Smaller requests are...
March 23, 2020
Landover, MD – Keany Produce & Gourmet has donated over $100,000 worth of fresh produce during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since Friday, March 13, 2020 through Friday, March 20, 2020, Keany has donated fresh produce to various food banks, food halls, and charities to support their efforts of supplying community members with access to fresh food. Keany has deployed their own fleet of trucks to distribute these donations across the DC-metro region.
“While the effects of COVID-19 are certainly impacting our business, we want to do everything we can to support our surrounding...
March 23, 2020
c/o NBC Washington
All public schools in Virginia will remain closed through the academic year and all restaurants must end dine-in service, the governor announced Monday as officials try to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Restaurants can continue carryout, delivery and drive-thru service.
All recreational and entertainment businesses are closed. All non-essential stores are limited to having only 10 patrons at a time.
Theaters, gyms and bowling alleys must close, Gov. Ralph Northam said. Grocery stores and health services can remain open but must “adhere to social...
March 20, 2020
So far, Congress has received more than 170,000 calls and emails urging relief for restaurants ASAP! And, there's still time to take action!
If you have not taken action yet, we need your help to ensure relief for restaurants and our employees is properly addressed in the current legislative package!
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION
Economic forecasts indicate restaurants and the foodservice industry could sustain $225 billion in losses and eliminate 5-7 million jobs over the next three months. By taking action, you can tell your personalized story about how this has negatively...
March 20, 2020
Dear RAMW Community,
As promised here is some end of day news as we head into the weekend.
As a reminder please visit https://www.ramw.org/blog for up to date information on all things COVID-19. We have recently posted a helpful FAQ section that answers the most frequently asked questions we have received and that will likely help you.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this afternoon that restaurants will be closed for on-premise service until April 27th. She is advising people to stay indoors, but has NOT issued a shelter in place mandate. Take-out and delivery...
March 20, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Comprehensive guide, updated daily, houses all state ordinances in one place so operators can quickly understand how to comply with the rules and share resources.
As restaurants deal with a patchwork of mandates directing the way they operate during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Compliance Team has created a COVID-19 Resources by State document to help operators navigate and comply with the directives and mandates coming in from across the country.
The Association is...
March 20, 2020
Updated – The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
Any such Economic Injury...
March 20, 2020
As you are aware, Sales & Use Tax payments are due on March 20th. Under § 58.1-617 the Tax Commissioner may for good cause grant a business an extension for up to thirty days. For this period, no interest or penalty would be charged, assessed or collected by reason of the granting of any such extension. In the event the Commissioner grants an extension beyond thirty days, there may be interest on the tax.
If you are interested in taking this route, you are able to request an extension by using the Virginia Online Services site here.
March 19, 2020
As much as we have been sending information around about what is happening locally across the region, it is critically important to be aware of what is happening on the national level, as a majority of funding for relief and stimulus will come at the federal level. The action taken on the Hill impacts us locally, so we must be engaged.
We have two important Congressional updates, and one involves you taking action TODAY.
First, we need you to ACT NOW to ensure Congress provides adequate relief to the restaurant and small business industry! This is the "Call to...
March 18, 2020
A helpful guide for suspending/closing your restaurant under challenging and difficult circumstances
Let staff take any food that cannot be frozen/saved.
Remove all trash from the building/Cancel Dumpster Pickups.
Take pourers off and tightly wrap open bottle tops of liquor in saran.
Leave all exhaust fans running - In the unlikely event of a gas leak or pilot goes out during the closing, the fans will help to exhaust any hazardous gas from the building.
Turn off any autopayment processes.
Cancel any scheduled deliveries. Examples would include:
Broadline Distributer...
March 18, 2020
Dear Operators,
We hosted an industry-wide call this morning with regional leaders and we understand there were some technical difficulties. We had hundreds of people on the call, but as other businesses and organizations are needing to do everything by conference call, the platform was overloaded. We apologize for any inconvenience.
We are synthesizing the information from the call to share on our website including FAQs and resources shared on that call. This will be available later today on our blog where we are posting all real-time updates and resources. Please share with...
March 18, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community,
As we try to give you up to date information, we ask that you also be patient as we are doing our best to respond to each and every email and also provide you with information that has been subject to change. We received an influx of questions and want to provide some clarification shared in our earlier email.
UPDATED INFO
Virginia: Governor Northam Mandates 10 or fewer patrons
Governor Ralph Northam issued a new statement that changes his recommendation to a mandate, which limits the number of patrons to 10 or less. Restaurants are...
March 17, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community,
We have a few important updates to share with you based on what was passed by the DC City Council and recommendations from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Tuesday, March 17, 2020. We are also sharing what is a work in progress and happening on the Federal level.
This is a long email, but includes important information, so please read the entire message as most of your questions could be answered with this update.
DC Update
The DC City Council just voted on Emergency Legislation, which means it goes into effect immediately upon the Mayor's...
March 16, 2020
BREAKING NEWS
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued guidelines banning on premise dining at restaurants starting at 10pm tonight and through April 1, 2020 at 6am. Restaurants and bars are still able to offer meals to go through take out, delivery or curbside service. Read the Mayor's order here.
Tomorrow, the DC Council is introducing Emergency Legislation that will offer relief for the local industry and its workers. More to come on what this relief package looks like tomorrow.
As a reminder, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan banned on premise dining...
March 16, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger
Dear RAMW Members,
I am beyond proud of the resilience of our industry. As you are all very aware, everything has been turned upside down, and this is a quickly evolving situation. This does not take away from the fact that we are a community of small businesses that through the years have successfully adapted to changing times. We are impressed with your agility during this current situation, as you put in place rapid changes that are necessary in order to put the public health of your staff, diners, friends...
March 16, 2020
As an association we are focused on protecting restaurant operators during this incredible time for you as a business owner, we have also heard from so many of you about your concerns rooted in your employees. There are some local grassroots efforts to help workers, as you may have seen.
We are collaborating with Hook Hall Helps who are helping to ensure that workers have access to to-go meals and supplies. We started a Worker Relief Fund as well that has raised $14,000+ in 48 hours. First and foremost, we needed to just act on something quickly. This will be...
March 15, 2020
PLEASE READ IMPORTANT REAL TIME UPDATES BELOW REGARDING YOUR OPERATIONS.
All restaurants and community members have to be mindful as to how we are changing our operating culture to accommodate and enforce the new guidelines to ensure public health is the priority. It will require rethinking offerings and adjusting operations. We encourage you to think creatively about how your food offerings may look different.
Newly Issued Guidelines for DC Restaurants and Tavern License Holders
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, has just released new guidance that directly impacts the restaurant and hospitality...
March 15, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
What should your business do to prepare for a pandemic? Here are 10 steps to take now!
Step 1: Maintain a healthy work environment.
Ensure adequate air circulation and post tips on how to stop the spread of germs.
Promote hand and respiratory hygiene.
Ensure wide availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (not just in places required by law).
Provide sanitizing supplies for frequent cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
Remind employees to report any illness to their manager especially if they are sick with...
March 15, 2020
NOTE TO OUR COMMUNITY
Some of you reading this are members, others are not, but all are worried about your business and employees given the current situation. We understand, we are worried too, however you should feel confident that in difficult times, which this industry has faced before, we have prevailed best when we come together as a community and face it head on. We urge you to stay strong, stay clear-minded, and know that you are not alone in this. We are working for you, and there are many efforts in motion. Understanding that you are concerned...
March 14, 2020
Dear VA Members,
We are in a rapidly evolving situation and would like to provide you with quick updates as they become available. As you may know, DC limited public gatherings to groups of 250 or less as of yesterday. While counties in Northern Virginia have not provided caps on gathering sizes, Governor Northam declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth and ordered all schools in the state to close for a two-week minimum period. The declaration also halted travel outside of VA for state employees and they are quickly implementing telework. Read the Governor's...
March 13, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger
Dear DC Restaurant Members,
We are in a quickly evolving situation and would like to provide you with a quick real time update from DC Mayor Muriel Bower as of 4pm Friday afternoon.
1. At this time, the DC government has banned gatherings of 250 or more people. The Department of Health has indicated that this applies to restaurants with banquet halls and large private event spaces. Restaurants that can accommodate 250 people do not have to change operations at this time, as long as the 250 are broken up...
