On April 15, 2020, Executive Order 20-04-15-01 was issued and requires the use of face coverings by employees and patrons in retail and food service establishments in Maryland. We sought guidance from the State on whether or not this Executive Order applies to hotels.

Below is clarification received from the Maryland Attorney General’s office:

​The Executive Order specifically addresses “Retail Establishments” and lists some representative businesses that fit in that category.  None of the listed businesses include hotels (i.e. “Food service Establishments”, and “Public Transportation” are listed).

​Hotels are not retail nor are they food service per the definition in the Order.  If the Hotel has food service that sells food via carry-out, drive-through, or delivery, the Governor’s Executive Order would apply to the food service part alone.  If the Health Department determines that additional industries or businesses need masks, under the Local Health Officer Designation, these other businesses may be required to wear them. 

Important updates from MHLA were shared with all members in a letter sent via email on April 17, 2020. It included information about dues billing, postponement of our Annual Meeting, our Final 2020 Legislative report, COVID-19 resources on our website and our involvement in recovery.
If you are a member of MHLA and did not receive the letter, please contact us to request a copy.
Know we are working harder than ever on your behalf, and we are sympathetic to the needs of Maryland’s lodging industry at this time.
 
Amy Rohrer
President & CEO
Maryland Hotel Lodging Association 
 

​Dear Valued Heartland Client, 
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We want to provide the recording of our COVID-19 HR Guidance and Best Practices Webinar, which was hosted last week. During this 45-minute informational session, Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor, addresses some of the most common HR questions relating to COVID-19. Kara also shares resources and best practices on topics including work-from-home policies, FMLA and PTO.

Webinar Resources

• Webinar Recording
• Presentation

We look forward to being of service as we work through this challenging environment together.
​
Thank you! 
​Heartland Payroll

April 1, 2020
Thank you to our national partner, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, for providing the updates below. Click here for the complete message from AH&LA President & CEO Chip Rogers. Key points are also below.
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• Paycheck Protection Program Application Portal is now live. Eligible small businesses and nonprofits can begin applying for these loans beginning on April 3, 2020. We expect additional guidance on how the program will be administered to be released soon.  
  • For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
  • The application for borrowers can be found HERE
  • PPP FAQs for Small Business, prepared by the US Senate Committee on Small Business (here)
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• Yesterday the Small Business Administration (SBA) released its streamlined application for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). With this new online portal, participants can now quickly identify whether they are eligible for disaster loan support.

• AHLA joined the U.S. Travel Association, International Franchise Association, and AAHOA to request that the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve establish programs that provide expedited and streamlined relief for eligible travel-dependent businesses and organizations that are not eligible to receive other assistance under the CARES Act. Included among that request are “Nonprofits, including 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(4) with less than 500 employees, which are ineligible for business interruption loans under the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).”

• COVID-19 Business and Employee Continuity and Recovery Fund – A letter has been issued to the Administration and Congress urging the consideration in forthcoming relief legislation of a Recovery Fund to help businesses retain and rehire employees, maintain worker benefits, and meet operating expense obligations. Coverage of the request in Bloomberg is here.