COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS 2019
State of Connecticut Resources for Restaurants
Most sector rules will be eliminated by May 19, 2021: Governor Lamont has announced plans to eliminate most of the state's COVID-19 restrictions for every sector by May 19, 2021, with the exception of certain mask requirements that will remain in effect. The changes will include: Effective Saturday, May 1, 2021
GOVERNOR'S GUIDANCE FOR REOPENING |
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Unemployment & Labor Issues
The CT State Department of Labor continues to provide guidance on Unemployment for both Employers and Employees, Family Medical Leave and Paid Leave through their FAQ document. The most updated version can be found HERE.
IRS Updates on Unemployment Compensation
Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7W which includes the following:
No increased experience rating based on COVID-19 unemployment claims: Modifies state laws surrounding the requirement for employers to be charged an “experience rating” so their unemployment premiums are not unduly increased because of the high number of claims caused by COVID-19.
PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT POSTER
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE POSTER.
IRS Updates on Unemployment Compensation
Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7W which includes the following:
No increased experience rating based on COVID-19 unemployment claims: Modifies state laws surrounding the requirement for employers to be charged an “experience rating” so their unemployment premiums are not unduly increased because of the high number of claims caused by COVID-19.
PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT POSTER
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE POSTER.
Economic Development
On March 26, 2020 Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic Development announced a Small Bridge Loan program for state businesses. Within hours, there were over 2,000 applications filed. As of March 27, 2020 DECD was no longer accepting applications. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and watch for updates. We will notify our members by email if we learn of additional programs or incentives being offered by DECD.
Department of Public Health
RESTAURANT DINING, TAKE-OUT, CURBSIDE AND DELIVERY
On Monday, March 16, 2020 Governor Lamont announced that through at least April 30, 2020, unless amended, restaurants and bars may only offer takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery to their customers. You can read his Executive Order 7D here.
On Thursday, March 26, Governor Lamont further address takeout and curbside service. In Executive Order 7N, he states that when reasonably practicable, restaurants, eating establishments, and any bars that remain open for sales of food for off-premise , shall limit entrance of customers into their locations to the minimum extent necessary to pick up and/or pay for orders, use touchless payment systems, and require remote ordering and payment, whether by telephone, computer, mobile application, or other technology. Nothing in this order shall require any such business to acquire or use ordering or payment technology that they do not already possess, prohibit drive-through ordering and pickup, or prohibit in-person payment or cash payment where there is no reasonable alternative. Previously issued guidance for hospital and business cafeterias remains in effect.
SERVSAFE
The CRA has postponed the in-person ServSafe Manager classes we offer until further notice. Testing regulations currently require all exams to be proctored in person. The National Restaurant Association and the ServSafe team is actively working on a way to offer distance testing.
Because the state of Connecticut has not yet adopted the 2017 Food Code into their regulations, expiration dates on ServSafe certificates should not be recognized. An "expired" certificate should still be accepted at this time. If you experience difficulty with a local health department, email us at [email protected].
ServSafe is offering several free courses at this time, including training on take-out and delivery as well as the entry level food safety course, ServSafe Handler. Click here to learn more about these classes.
On Monday, March 16, 2020 Governor Lamont announced that through at least April 30, 2020, unless amended, restaurants and bars may only offer takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery to their customers. You can read his Executive Order 7D here.
On Thursday, March 26, Governor Lamont further address takeout and curbside service. In Executive Order 7N, he states that when reasonably practicable, restaurants, eating establishments, and any bars that remain open for sales of food for off-premise , shall limit entrance of customers into their locations to the minimum extent necessary to pick up and/or pay for orders, use touchless payment systems, and require remote ordering and payment, whether by telephone, computer, mobile application, or other technology. Nothing in this order shall require any such business to acquire or use ordering or payment technology that they do not already possess, prohibit drive-through ordering and pickup, or prohibit in-person payment or cash payment where there is no reasonable alternative. Previously issued guidance for hospital and business cafeterias remains in effect.
SERVSAFE
The CRA has postponed the in-person ServSafe Manager classes we offer until further notice. Testing regulations currently require all exams to be proctored in person. The National Restaurant Association and the ServSafe team is actively working on a way to offer distance testing.
Because the state of Connecticut has not yet adopted the 2017 Food Code into their regulations, expiration dates on ServSafe certificates should not be recognized. An "expired" certificate should still be accepted at this time. If you experience difficulty with a local health department, email us at [email protected].
ServSafe is offering several free courses at this time, including training on take-out and delivery as well as the entry level food safety course, ServSafe Handler. Click here to learn more about these classes.
Department of Consumer Protection/Liquor Control
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION GUIDANCE FOR CURBSIDE GROCERY SALES
The Department of Consumer Protection has issued guidance for restaurants pursuing curbside grocery sales during this time. Please CLICK HERE to read more.
Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7W which includes the following:
Renewal date for on-premise liquor permits to be extended: Modifies state statutes to provide that all on-premise liquor permits in active status when Executive Order No. 7D went into effect on March 16, 2020 shall be extended by four months, including any business whose permit expired between March 16 and April 9.
GOVERNOR LAMONT ALLOWS DELIVERY BY RESTAURANTS
Effective Immediately
Pursuant to Executive Order 7G and 7T, the Department of Consumer Protection issues the following rules and procedures for the sale of alcoholic liquor for pick-up and delivery to a customer for all permit types presently allowed to offer pick-up and delivery:
GOVERNOR LAMONT MODIFIES MAXIMUM PERIOD OF CREDIT FOR LIQUOR PERMITEES
Extension of 30-day period of credit for liquor permittees: Executive Order 7S modifies state law to permit the maximum period of credit for liquor permittees from certain creditors, including wholesalers and manufacturers, to be 90 days after the date of delivery for all permittees prohibited from engaging in on-premise sales per Executive Order No. 7D.
Further Explanation of Executive Order 7s:
The Department of Consumer Protection has issued guidance for restaurants pursuing curbside grocery sales during this time. Please CLICK HERE to read more.
Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7W which includes the following:
Renewal date for on-premise liquor permits to be extended: Modifies state statutes to provide that all on-premise liquor permits in active status when Executive Order No. 7D went into effect on March 16, 2020 shall be extended by four months, including any business whose permit expired between March 16 and April 9.
GOVERNOR LAMONT ALLOWS DELIVERY BY RESTAURANTS
Effective Immediately
Pursuant to Executive Order 7G and 7T, the Department of Consumer Protection issues the following rules and procedures for the sale of alcoholic liquor for pick-up and delivery to a customer for all permit types presently allowed to offer pick-up and delivery:
- For all pick-up and delivery orders that include alcoholic liquor, the customer receiving the order must be of legal drinking age and cannot be intoxicated.
- If the age of the customer receiving the alcoholic liquor is in question, he or she must present a valid operator’s license or state identify card. If the age of the customer remains in question after reviewing the identification presented, the sale and/or delivery of the alcoholic beverage must be declined.
- The use of age statement forms is not authorized for pick up or delivery of alcoholic beverages off-premises.
- Any individual who delivers orders that include alcoholic liquor directly to the customer’s residence must be at least eighteen years of age and employed as an employee of the permit premises.
- Unless otherwise noted, the hours of sales for pick up or delivery that include alcoholic liquor shall be the same as those for a package store.
GOVERNOR LAMONT MODIFIES MAXIMUM PERIOD OF CREDIT FOR LIQUOR PERMITEES
Extension of 30-day period of credit for liquor permittees: Executive Order 7S modifies state law to permit the maximum period of credit for liquor permittees from certain creditors, including wholesalers and manufacturers, to be 90 days after the date of delivery for all permittees prohibited from engaging in on-premise sales per Executive Order No. 7D.
Further Explanation of Executive Order 7s:
- An On Premise account (“all permittees prohibited from engaging in on-premise sales per Executive Order No. 7D”) has 90 days terms on all invoices from “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” IF: All invoices due to “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” which are 40 days from day of delivery or older (posted invoices), as of March 16th , 2020 are paid in full. Once these invoices are paid, ALL open invoices from “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” will not be subject to posting until they reach 90 days from day of delivery.
- If invoices due to “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” 40 days or older as of March 16th are not paid in full, the account remains posted and on COD for all purchases for all “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” per original statue and regulations.
- There is nothing in the Executive Order that mandates “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations” to extend credit. The Executive Order applies only to credit that is or was extended at the discretion of the “wholesalers, manufacturers or others specified in such Statute or regulations”
SALE OF ALCOHOL WITH TAKEOUT AND CURBSIDE
UPDATES FROM DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
Thanks to Governor Lamont's Administration and Lawmakers for working with the Connecticut Restaurant Association to allow for restaurants to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption, as long as patrons are purchasing food with their purchase.
READ OUR EMAIL WITH GUIDANCE FROM DCP ON IMPLEMENTATION.
UPDATES FROM DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
Thanks to Governor Lamont's Administration and Lawmakers for working with the Connecticut Restaurant Association to allow for restaurants to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption, as long as patrons are purchasing food with their purchase.
READ OUR EMAIL WITH GUIDANCE FROM DCP ON IMPLEMENTATION.
Insurance Issues
Coronavirus and Business Interruption Insurance -- Information from the CT Department of Insurance
Read the Department of Insurance FAQ on Interruption Insurance.
Read the Department of Insurance FAQ on Interruption Insurance.
