Massachusetts Restaurant Association
Governor Baker extends essential services order until May 4
Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th .
Hotel/Motel Guidance: As part of the updated essential business list, DPH issued new guidance today around hotels, motels, inns, beds and breakfasts and other short-term residential rentals. Based on this new guidance, hotels, motels, and short-term rentals may only be used for efforts related to fighting COVID-19, like front line health workers or individuals, or for Massachusetts residents who have been otherwise displaced from their residences.
Click
here for the Hotel/Motel Guidance.
Updates from the SBA Office
Three SBA emergency capital programs are available to the public.
- First is a Low interest, long term “Economic Injury Disaster Loan” for up to $2 million. The first payment is deferred for 12 months. The application can be completed online at www.sba.gov/DISASTER
- Second, if you apply for that Disaster Loan – you can ask for an “Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance” for up to $10,000 as part of the loan application. If approved, these funds can be used for payroll and other operating expenses and can be FORGIVEN.
- Third SBA and Treasury Department will launch the new Paycheck Protection Program to help keep employees on payroll and small businesses operating. Speak with an SBA lender about this program, a lender list can be found on our website at: www.sba.gov/MA
Common MRA Question:
Q.) If I have applied for, or received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) related to COVID-19 before the Paycheck Protection Program became available, will I be able to refinance into a PPP loan?
A) Yes. If you received an EIDL loan related to COVID-19 between January 31, 2020 and the date at which the PPP becomes available, you would be able to refinance the EIDL into the PPP. However, you may not take out an EIDL and a PPP for the same purposes. Remaining portions of the EIDL, for purposes other than those laid out in loan forgiveness terms for a PPP loan, would remain a loan. If you took advantage of an emergency EIDL grant award of up to $10,000, that amount would be subtracted from the amount forgiven under PPP.
CARES ACT Resources
Please find a great tool compliments of MRA Board Member Mark Kashgegian and The Antares Group, developed along with the team at Eastern Bank.
We think you will find this link quite useful as we navigate through these new waters. It includes an overview, plus a calculator.
US Senate Small Business Committee:
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Webinar on the Cares Act Thursday, April 2 at 3:00PM
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