Coronavirus Resources
As COVID-19 continues to impact our industry in Michigan, we are continuously sharing all available resources to the entire hospitality industry as they become available. The information below is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other reputable resources. If you are a business owner and would like to be added to our alert distribution list, please send your contact information to edaunt@mrla.org.
For all media requests please contact:
Emily Daunt
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
517-377-3933
edaunt@mrla.org
Emily Daunt
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
517-377-3933
edaunt@mrla.org
ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKER LETTERS
According to the new Executive Order, restaurants and hotels are considered essential services during the shelter-in-place. The MRLA is providing you with Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker letter templates for you and your employees to carry with you while traveling to and from work.
HOTEL LEASE VOLUNTEER FORM
Governors, mayors and public health officials across the country are seeking hoteliers who are willing to enter into temporary leases for certain types of lodging properties at this time.
AHLA is currently working with the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to create a database of willing properties in order to meet the demand for housing capacity during the pandemic.
If you are interested, please complete the form below. AHLA will keep the information you provide confidential until it is ready to be shared with the DHHS.
AHLA is currently working with the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to create a database of willing properties in order to meet the demand for housing capacity during the pandemic.
If you are interested, please complete the form below. AHLA will keep the information you provide confidential until it is ready to be shared with the DHHS.
SBA DISASTER LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Michigan’s request for a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, opening the opportunity to small businesses to access low-interest loans from the SBA.
The EIDL designation means that Michigan small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will now have the ability to apply for low-interest loans as part of $1 billion in funding made available to the SBA by Congress earlier this month.
The EIDL designation means that Michigan small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will now have the ability to apply for low-interest loans as part of $1 billion in funding made available to the SBA by Congress earlier this month.
RETAIL GROCERY SALES
The MRLA is teaming up with the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development to provide information on best practices for selling retail grocery food in your establishment. Hear from MDARD on how to properly label products for resale to comply with legal requirements. Here you can find resources for labeling, examples of food to sell, and more.
Questions?
Lou Ognjanovski
MDARD Food & Dairy Division
ognjanovskil@michigan.gov
248-651-4754
Questions?
Lou Ognjanovski
MDARD Food & Dairy Division
ognjanovskil@michigan.gov
248-651-4754
FREE TRAINING
ServSafe
As our industry faces ongoing challenges with COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association and Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association remains dedicated to helping everyone stay safe. Food safety training and education are more critical now than ever before. With this in mind, ServSafe released two new free training videos to reinforce safe food handling during the coronavirus outbreak. These are:
As our industry faces ongoing challenges with COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association and Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association remains dedicated to helping everyone stay safe. Food safety training and education are more critical now than ever before. With this in mind, ServSafe released two new free training videos to reinforce safe food handling during the coronavirus outbreak. These are:
ServSafe Takeout: COVID-19 Precautions
ServSafe Delivery: COVID-19 Precautions
ServSafe Delivery: COVID-19 Precautions
Those who participate in the ServSafe Takeout and Delivery Precautions training will receive a completion certificate. We encourage you to hang this in your establishment to build additional consumer confidence!
In addition, to support restaurant workers on the front line, ServSafe is making its standard, ANSI accredited, online ServSafe Food Handler training program available free of charge through April 30, 2020.
ServSuccess
Now through April 30, the National Restaurant Association is offering both Restaurant Professional and Restaurant Supervisor learning suites FREE of charge to restaurant industry workers. These learning suites, created with industry experts, were designed to reinforce your skills and knowledge and will help ensure you’re ready for what’s next in your career. They also cover everything you need to know to sit for the professional certification exam, should you choose to take it.
Now through April 30, the National Restaurant Association is offering both Restaurant Professional and Restaurant Supervisor learning suites FREE of charge to restaurant industry workers. These learning suites, created with industry experts, were designed to reinforce your skills and knowledge and will help ensure you’re ready for what’s next in your career. They also cover everything you need to know to sit for the professional certification exam, should you choose to take it.
Restaurant Professional Learning Suite
For individuals just starting their restaurant career and working in roles like bartender, cashier, cook, host or server. Topics include:
- Front-of-the-House Service & Communication
- Front-of-the-House Basic Operations
- Back-of-the-House Pre-Production
- Back-of-the-House Production
- Basic Business Operations
Restaurant Supervisor Learning Suite
For individuals who are responsible for supervising, directing, coordinating and training employees. They might also have the job title assistant manager, kitchen lead, shift leader or supervisor. Topics include:
- Managing Daily Operations
- Leadership & Communication
- Safety & Regulations
- Cost Control Fundamentals
- Controlling Costs
For individuals just starting their restaurant career and working in roles like bartender, cashier, cook, host or server. Topics include:
- Front-of-the-House Service & Communication
- Front-of-the-House Basic Operations
- Back-of-the-House Pre-Production
- Back-of-the-House Production
- Basic Business Operations
Restaurant Supervisor Learning Suite
For individuals who are responsible for supervising, directing, coordinating and training employees. They might also have the job title assistant manager, kitchen lead, shift leader or supervisor. Topics include:
- Managing Daily Operations
- Leadership & Communication
- Safety & Regulations
- Cost Control Fundamentals
- Controlling Costs
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
In partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation), AHLEI is offering complimentary access to online training for a limited period of time. Now through April 30, you can access complimentary online training. Employees who are currently furloughed or laid off are eligible to apply for AHLEI certifications as long as they were employed as of March 1, 2020. All other certification eligibility requirements are still in place. Choose one or more of the following FREE training courses and then follow the step-by-step How to Enroll instructions.
In partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation), AHLEI is offering complimentary access to online training for a limited period of time. Now through April 30, you can access complimentary online training. Employees who are currently furloughed or laid off are eligible to apply for AHLEI certifications as long as they were employed as of March 1, 2020. All other certification eligibility requirements are still in place. Choose one or more of the following FREE training courses and then follow the step-by-step How to Enroll instructions.
- Supervisory Skill Builders
- Hospitality Manager: Leadership
- Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Online Review
- Hospitality Manager: Leadership
- Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Online Review
MONTHLY SALES, USE, and WITHHOLDING TAX RETURNS
NOTICE: PENALTY AND INTEREST WAIVED FOR 30 DAYS FOR MONTHLY SALES, USE, AND WITHHOLDING TAX RETURNS DUE MARCH 20, 2020
No payment necessary until April 20, 2020
No payment necessary until April 20, 2020
Executive Order 2020-04 declared a State of Emergency in Michigan related to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted the normal business operations of many sales, use, and withholding taxpayers required to file returns and remit tax by the twentieth day of each month. In recognition of the present challenges faced by these taxpayers, the Department of Treasury is waiving penalty and interest for the late payment of tax or the late filing of the return due on March 20, 2020. The waiver will be effective for a period of 30 days; therefore, any return or payment currently due on March 20, 2020 may be submitted to the Department without penalty or interest through April 20, 2020.
The waiver is limited to sales, use, and withholding payments and returns due March 20, 2020. Any payment or return otherwise due after that date will not be eligible for the current waiver. The waiver is not available for accelerated sales, use, or withholding tax filers. Those taxpayers should continue to file returns and remit any tax due as of the original due dates.
The waiver is limited to sales, use, and withholding payments and returns due March 20, 2020. Any payment or return otherwise due after that date will not be eligible for the current waiver. The waiver is not available for accelerated sales, use, or withholding tax filers. Those taxpayers should continue to file returns and remit any tax due as of the original due dates.
Questions regarding this Notice may be directed to the
Department at (517) 636–6925.
Department at (517) 636–6925.
INDUSTRY WEBINARS
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Unemployment Insurance Agency Emergency Guidelines
Currently, the State of Michigan does not have any upcoming UIA webinars, however you can view the presentation used during the webinar below. **This is the most up-to-date information currently provided to MRLA. Please note that information is changing rapidly. **
Please join us for a webinar hosted by the state Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to learn about new emergency guidelines from the governor that allow your employees to qualify for unemployment benefits while not negatively impacting your experience rating as an employer. Also learn about the “Workshare” program that allows you to retain employees in a diminished role, while the UIA picks up benefits for the lost hours. |
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STR COVID-19 Webinar: U.S. & Canada Hotel Weekly Performance Analysis
Dates/Times: This is a weekly webinar. Click Register to see all available options Join Jan Freitag, STR’s senior VP of lodging insights, for a quick-hitting weekly webinar focused on the most recently processed week of hotel performance data for the U.S. and Canada. We will cover national numbers as well as the key markets to show the most significant performance fluctuations as COVID-19 concerns broaden. This webinar series will be recorded and made available each week for those unable to join live. |
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WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China, and believed to have initially spread from animals to humans but now is spreading from person-to-person contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Typically, respiratory viruses are most contagious when an individual is most symptomatic, but there have been reports of the virus spreading when the affected individual does not show any symptoms
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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Employment Law in the COVID-19 Era
* Limited to first 100 registrants * Friday, March 20 11:00 a.m. - Noon As the spread of COVID-19 fills headlines, more and more restaurants and hotel operators are asking what can be done to keep their employees safe and maintain continuity of business operations in an uncertain world. In this exclusive webinar sponsored by the MRLA Legal Center, two of the best employment law attorneys in the state from the Honigman firm will provide an overview of some key legal considerations, answers to frequently asked questions, and where to go to find other reliable information and advice. |
** Webinars begins at the 20:00 mark of the video **
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Plante Moran: COVID-19 Responding to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. EDT To watch this webinar again, click the button above and fill out register information MRLA partner and leading CPA firm for the hospitality industry, Plante Moran, is hosting an important webinar. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the Trump administration has begun taking steps to mitigate its impact on Americans. Signed by the president on March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides paid sick leave, free COVID-19 testing, expands food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requires employers to provide additional protections for health care workers. It has also been indicated that the April 15 due date for filing tax returns will be extended to July 15, 2020. During this webinar, our tax and employee benefits consulting experts will discuss how these changes will affect you and what actions you should be taking now. |
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Coronavirus Resources: Labor and Employment Law Challenges and Obligations Facing Employers
When: Thursday, March 19, 2020 Time: 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time In the current coronavirus public health emergency, employers are confronting difficult questions related to employment issues including leave and accommodation, workers’ compensation, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disability Act, and other workplace laws and regulations. Please join Shannon Meade, National Restaurant Association Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Advocacy and legal experts from the law firm Littler Mendelson for a webinar on these topics and other guidance and resources for restaurant industry employers. |
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Ask the Expert: Restaurant Delivery Legal Questions
* Limited to first 100 registrants * Tuesday, March 17 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Starting food delivery with the temporary government mandate? Join this call to hear from legal experts on need-to-know procedures when delivering food to the public. A portion of the call will be Q&A between you and attorneys Mark Burzych and Helen Mills with Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLC. |
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Exclusive Update with the CDC’s Dr. Jay Butler
Thursday, March 12, 2020 EST Presented by: American Hotel & Lodging Association Please join us for a webinar featuring a timely discussion with Dr. Jay Butler, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases and Senior Response Official for COVID-19 at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). |
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Preparing for the Coronavirus: Steps for Foodservice and Restaurant Readiness
Tuesday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m. CST Please join Larry Lynch, Senior Vice President of Certification and Operations at the National Restaurant Association, and other members of the National Restaurant Association COVID-19 response team for this informative webinar. During this webinar, we will dive into topics including:
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MRLA Briefing | Coronavirus Prep: What To Do and How It will Reduce Your Risks in the Future
Hear from Health Crisis Management expert, Roslyn Stone, COO of Zero-Hour Health- a crisis prep and response team available to assist MRLA members. A number of health issues including Hepatitis A and the emergence of measles affected U.S.-based restaurant chains in 2018-19 and the industry may now face its biggest challenge with the coronavirus epidemic. The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association has partnered with Zedic to provide the most up-to-date resources to prepare your business for this potential crisis. Join Zedic and the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association as we discuss the challenges, dangers, and myths around the COVID-19 outbreak. |
HOW IT SPREADS & SYMPTOMS
COVID-19 Coronavirus Spreads:
Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days to as long as 14 days after exposure:
- The virus primarily spreads via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
- It spreads between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet).
Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days to as long as 14 days after exposure:
- Fever, cough and/or shortness of breath
PREVENTION
Currently there is no vaccine for 2019-nCoV. The best measure is to avoid coming in contact with the virus:
Here are some of the registered disinfectants on the EPA’s list.
- Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when water and soap is not available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home if sick
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, then immediately dispose of the tissue
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that have been touched
Here are some of the registered disinfectants on the EPA’s list.
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
- Clorox Commercial Solutions
- Clorox Disinfecting Spray
- Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach
- Klercide 70/30
- Lonza Formulation
- Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist
- Lysol Heavy-Duty Cleaner Disinfectant Concentrate
- Oxycide Daily Disinfectant Cleaner
- Peak Disinfectant Wipes
- Peroxide Multi Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant
- Peroxide Disinfectant and Glass Cleaner
- Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes
- Sani-Prime Germicidal Disposable Wipe
- Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray
MONITORING
Keeping Employees Safe: What to do if an employee shows flu-like symptoms
According to the CDC, the spread of 2019-nCoV occurs from person-to-person that is in close contact, approximately 6 feet. Some basic steps that could be taken are:
If a customer or employee vomits or has diarrhea it is recommended (AT THIS TIME) that the protocols that have been in place for Norovirus be used:
- It is highly recommended that any employees that are showing flu-like symptoms should be excluded from the operation until they are symptom free.
According to the CDC, the spread of 2019-nCoV occurs from person-to-person that is in close contact, approximately 6 feet. Some basic steps that could be taken are:
- Provide the customer with additional napkins or tissues to use when they cough or sneeze
- Make sure alcohol-based hand sanitizer is available for customers to use
- Be sure to clean and sanitize any objects or surfaces that may have been touched
If a customer or employee vomits or has diarrhea it is recommended (AT THIS TIME) that the protocols that have been in place for Norovirus be used:
- Ensure the employee that is cleaning up the are area is using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Segregate the area that has been contaminated
- Dispose of any food that has been exposed
- Ensure any utensils that might have been exposed are cleaned and sanitized
- Clean and sanitize the area to include the floor, walls and any other object that came in contact with the incident
- Dispose any of the equipment that was used to clean up properly
Public Health Matters: Understanding Coronavirus
Ecolab experts discuss COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and how healthcare, long term care, hospitality, restaurants and food and beverage processing business can take action to help protect employees and customers and combat this recent public health outbreak. This hour-long webinar includes 30 min of Q&A with Ecolab experts about business specific actions.
