Today the GSA released FY2021 per diem rates.  Leading up to this release MHLA joined federal advocacy efforts pushing for per diem to reflect pre-COVID-19 rates and we are pleased to report a win for the industry on this front!  See below for additional information from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

While FY21 CONUS rates remain unchanged, the year over year change in rates for non-standard areas varies throughout the state.  Click the following link to see the change in each non-standard area throughout Maryland.

Contact Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO, with any questions related to Maryland per diem rates.

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A message from Chip Rogers, President & CEO
American Hotel & Lodging Association

Dear AHLA Member,
In a significant shift and thanks to AHLA’s advocacy, today, the General Services Administration (GSA) released the FY2021 per diem rates for government travel in the Continental United States (CONUS) which reflect pre-COVID-19 rates. The move to hold per diem rates is a big victory for the hospitality industry.

The FY2021 CONUS per diem rate is $151:

• $96 lodging
• $55 meals

This is the same as FY20 and there are 319 Non-Standard Areas (NSAs) that have per diem rates higher than the standard CONUS rate as compared to 322 NSAs in FY20.
The AHLA actively engaged with the GSA, and sounded the alarm about the negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on hotel occupancy, rates and government travel and the further impact the pandemic would have on FY21 per diem rates. Our team also worked with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to send multiple letters to the GSA and supported the introduction of legislation that would freeze FY21 and FY22 rates at FY20 levels. We want to specifically thank Congressmen Crist (D-FL) and Posey (R-FL) for their leadership on this issue.

Because of our efforts, in partnership with our Partner State Associations and the efforts from you, our members, GSA has adjusted the FY21 data window for rate setting by one month (i.e. March 2019 through February 2020 in lieu of the standard April 2019 through March 2020) to not negatively depress FY21 rates due to COVID-19.
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Government travel is incredibly important to the hotel industry, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and billions in travel spending that benefits communities across the country. Government per diem rates are also often used as a guide by other businesses and organizations in setting their own travel standards. It is critical that GSA established reasonable rates for FY21 that adjust for the devastating impact of the pandemic, especially at a time when our industry is fighting for survival.
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Thank you for your continued support.
Chip Rogers




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​Click here to see a summary of 2020 vs. 2021 per diem rates in Maryland.

Effective August 7, 2020 at 5:00 P.M., hotel meetings/banquets in Baltimore City are subject to section II of Mayor Young’s Executive Order, issued yesterday and limiting gatherings to the lesser of 25 persons or 25% of the facility’s maximum capacity.  Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 25 persons provided there is sufficient space for persons to remain socially distant.

Also effective August 7, 2020 at 5:00 P.M., indoor dining at food service establishments (including hotel restaurants) may resume with the following restrictions, as stated in section III of the order.
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Foodservice  Establishments shall:

1. require all staff and patrons to wear face coverings, in accordance with the Face Coverings Order;
2. not allow the number of persons in the Foodservice Establishment to exceed 25% of the Restaurant’s Maximum Occupancy (defined in c. below);
3. close their kitchens at 10:00 P.M.;
4. not serve food in a buffet format;
5. not serve customers who are not seated;
6. not serve customers beverages if they are not also eating; and
7. clean and disinfect each table between each seating in accordance with CDC and MDH guidelines, using cleaning products that meet the criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use against COVID-19.

c. Definitions

1. “Maximum Occupancy” means:
   i. The maximum occupancy load of the Facility under the applicable fire code, as set forth on a certificate issued for the Facility by a local fire code official; or locations venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded.

Click here to access the link for the Executive Order issued on August 6, 2020. 

Montgomery County hotels must operate with restrictions on “Gatherings” and “Food Service Establishments” that are more stringent than those set forth by the State.  Additionally, Face Covering Requirements and General Operating Requirements laid out in Executive Order 87-20 apply to all activities.  Effective August 5, 2020, an amended Executive Order “includes additional measures to protect the public from the spread of the virus. One measure forbids food service establishments from serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption after 10 p.m.  (Click here for the full press release.)

The change for the sale of alcohol comes following contact tracing data released by the State that indicates people congregating in establishments later in the evening have higher instances of physical contact and limited social distancing. One quarter of those interviewed by the State about contacts indicated indoor and outdoor dining as an activity they participated in.  Since the beginning of July, County officials have closed four restaurants and cited four for not following reopening restrictions.”

The full text of updated Executive Order 87-20, which will go into effect at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/Resources/Files/orders/087-20.pdf.

​For the latest Reopening Montgomery updates, visit the County’s website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.”

Prince George’s County has issued a Revised Phase 2 Update: Due to a recent uptick in new COVID-19 cases, gatherings for all activities, indoors, or outdoors, not outlined in the County’s Phase II Executive Order are limited to a maximum of 50 persons, effective Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. Planned larger gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed. CDC and MDH social distancing protocols must be followed.  A Health Department Directive and Order for Enhanced Consumer and Employee Safety was subsequently issued on August 4, 2020.

Visit this page – https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3419/Resources#Businesses%20&%20Employers – for updated information for Prince County Businesses and Employers. Scroll to the bottom to view the latest Executive Orders.