[June 3, 2020] - Oregon Phase Two Guidance is Finalized: Wins and the Need for More Flexibility

Today marks an important day in Oregon’s ongoing reopening process. You can review the latest guidelines announced today for Phase Two through the following links:

• General Employer Guidance for Lodging Operations 
• Lodging Industry Guidance Specific to Swimming Pools, Spas, & Sports Courts Guidance
• Phase Two - Restaurant & Bar Guidance
• Phase Two - Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Facility Guidance
• Phase Two – Venue and Event Operators
  
• Phase Two - Gatherings
  

 
ORLA has been directly engaged in ongoing discussions with the Governor’s Office which resulted in the following areas of flexibility in Phase Two:

• The inclusion of partitions/barriers as an alternative to 6 feet of distancing between associated parties of 10 or less. This will greatly assist our operators across the state in maximizing occupancy in a safe way within dining rooms as well as assist with customer service options available when using Video Lottery Terminals.
• Acknowledging the importance of travel and permitting travel in general while adhering to physical distancing requirements. Travel is safe and as Oregonians we can engage in experiences across our great state once again in a responsible fashion.
• Opening up resort and lodging amenities. Pools, spas, and sports courts are back online with physical distancing requirements.
• Installing plexiglass/barriers for bar and counter seating as an alternative to 6 feet of distance. This applies to all bar seating regardless of how the bar is positioned in the establishment. Getting bar seating open again with appropriate precautions for employees and guests is crucial to assisting these operations in surviving.

 
Our work continues with what I will call Phase 2.1 as there are still ongoing challenges that need to be addressed. Based on industry feedback, these are the issues that still exist that need to be fixed in Phase Two as soon as possible:

• Maintaining a curfew in Phase Two with a requirement to close at Midnight. We strongly oppose ongoing curfews which will do nothing except consolidate demand for restaurant and bar service. Forcing customers to show up before midnight has nothing to do with physical distancing. Longer hours create more space and time for customer demand. Oregon’s restaurant and bar midnight curfew should be removed from Phase Two guidance entirely and as soon as possible.
• Wearing gloves when cleaning high touch surfaces. This past month on May 27, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released an updated memo titled “Considerations for Restaurants and Bars” and within that memo under the section titled “Maintaining Healthy Environments” there are specific protocols outlined for cleaning and disinfection. Nowhere do they recommend employees wearing gloves to conduct cleaning activities except when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wearing gloves at all times to clean high touch surfaces is unnecessary and does not align with CDC guidelines. View the CDC memo.
• Wearing face coverings in the kitchen continues to be a high level concern of both employees and operators. Kitchens have commercial grade ventilation units which provide natural airflow and circulation as a necessary safety feature while working in a hot temperature environment. Face coverings, whether masks or face shields, are unnecessary and do not take into account the features built into commercial grade kitchens to protect employees and promote safe working conditions. Kitchen face coverings should be encouraged by the Oregon Health Authority but not required and left to the discretion of employees and operators based on their unique circumstances.   
• Maintaining 6 feet of distance between associated parties in outdoor settings is fundamentally unnecessary. Outdoor seating arrangements would be good candidates for a unique physical distancing standard given the reality of those environments. A collection of 172 observational studies across 16 countries and 6 continents published June 1 by The Lancet found that transmission of viruses was lower with physical distancing of 1 meter (3.2 feet) or more compared with a distance of less than 1 meter. Review the study and its findings.
• And lastly, the ongoing prohibition of salad bars, buffets, soda machines, and growler refilling stations is unnecessary. Single use utensils could easily be implemented for salad bars and buffets while maintaining physical distancing and soda machines and growler refilling stations are currently open in grocery store and convenience store locations and can be contactless amenities. The ongoing inequity of guidance which applies to one business type and not to others must stop. Buffets, salad bars, soda machines, and growler stations can all open up safely without any issues compromising employee or customer safety.

 
We greatly appreciate the ongoing working relationship with the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor’s Office and look forward to addressing our ongoing needs as an industry as counties begin preparing for the Phase Two reopening process.

[May 8, 2020] – This Week’s Updates
 
Yesterday, Governor Brown announced plans to begin reopening portions of Oregon’s economy that have remained closed for almost 2 months including dining rooms in bars and restaurants. In order to reopen, county governments must submit their plans to the Governor’s Office for approval. Representatives from the Oregon Health Authority referenced a commitment to a quick turnaround for county plans submitted with the expectation many counties will have the opportunity to reopen previously closed parts of their economies as early as Friday, May 15.
 
Lodging facilities, which were never closed by statewide order, continue to be devastated by decreases in demand. Due to marketplace dynamics and actions taken by local jurisdictions, regulations across Oregon differ for lodging establishments. Popular leisure travel destinations including Oregon’s north coast and Columbia River Gorge continue to deal with additional restrictions at the local level. Having said that, lodging facilities in general remain open for business travel with others determining plans for reopening after voluntary closures. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has launched the “Safe Stay” initiative to provide guidance to lodging operations moving through reopening procedures. In addition, lodging providers can access final employer guidelines specific to Oregon here. See specific guidance for outdoor recreation organizations here.
 
Restaurant, bars, breweries, tasting rooms, and distilleries were all given the go ahead to open in Oregon’s Phase One plan. Timelines associated with opening these hospitality businesses will be contingent upon the approval of county plans. Some counties will have their plans reviewed by the Oregon Health Authority as early as today, May 8 which paves the way for a potential May 15 opening. ORLA was successful in advocating for the removal of an initial plan to have foodservice operators document the movements of their customers. In addition, there was agreement to remove the percentage space requirement emerging in many states which caps capacity at levels from 25 to 50% of maximum occupancy. In Oregon, there is no such requirement. Operators will be required to ensure physical distance of 6 feet between associated parties of 10 or less. You can view the final guidance for Oregon’s foodservice and beverage industry here. Arbitrary restrictions including a 10pm cutoff for dining room services in Phase One as well as partial opening of barstools/bar seating in specific scenarios continue to be industry concerns we hope to address in Phase Two guidelines.
 
There is a great deal left to accomplish. In the coming weeks, we will be:

• Working in partnership with BOLI, the Association of Oregon Counties, and the League of Oregon Cities to establish a statewide framework for voluntary contractual partnerships and voucher programs for lodging stays. Best practices do exist to help local governments identify willing lodging providers who can provide shelter for first responders, Oregonians who have tested positive or are awaiting COVID results, and vulnerable populations. ORLA is committed to establishing a framework to bring more clarity to these community accommodation challenges while establishing reasonable liability protections for lodging providers who partner with local governments to provide shelter.
• Seeking clarity on how Oregon’s hospitality industry will be notified when county reopening plans have been submitted to the Governor’s Office, the expected turnaround time for review, and how communication will work once county plans are approved. We have advocated time and time again for as much advance notice as possible so operators can realistically achieve their reopening goals. We highly encourage foodservice and beverage operators to consider a ‘limited menu’ approach as they ramp up access to the food supply chain and work to bring back employees to meet modest demand as consumers regain confidence.
• Amplifying ‘best practices’ for both restaurant and lodging operations establishing exemplary standards for employee and guest safety. As county plans are approved by the Oregon Health Authority, ORLA will be on the move to showcase best in class operations to assist the industry in finding operational success over time statewide.
• Pursuing a ‘safe harbor’ provision with Governor Brown’s office to provide clarity to operators, employees, and customers on COVID liability protections.
• Sharing additional resources on consumer demand trends, and ongoing asks for flexibility with both the OLCC and the Oregon Lottery to bring back as many revenue streams as possible to survive.
• Continuing the crucial work of advocating for the return of leisure travel in future phases. In addition, we believe there is a way to differentiate lodging meeting spaces from much larger venues and gatherings which will be restricted through the end of September as announced yesterday by the Governor.

 
If you haven’t already, make sure we have the best email address for you as an industry operator. In addition, you can sign up for ORLA text message alerts (by texting ORLA to 52886) so you have the intelligence we gather in real time. 

[April 30, 2020] - Making Progress Towards Reopening, More to Be Done

Friends of Oregon Hospitality - 

Throughout the month of April, ORLA has been focused on building momentum for industry relief efforts. We have made some progress on behalf of the hospitality industry, but more needs to be accomplished. We have also been focused on sharing your stories for Oregonians to better understand the devastating impacts of an Oregon economic shutdown and how it is felt in all corners of our state, particularly for those in the restaurants and lodging industries.

It is time to switch gears. According to the latest data from the Oregon Health Authority, we are successfully flattening the curve. And in many areas of Oregon, there is no curve to flatten.

In our last video address, we emphasized the importance of creating a framework for reopening Oregon’s hospitality industry. Trends are pointing toward reopening dining rooms, counter service operations, bars, and tasting rooms as part of a Phase One plan in Oregon. The opening of lodging operations beyond essential worker travel is also possible in Phase Two.

We want to thank the hospitality businesses across the state that have shared their recovery plans with us. Those plans have helped us to provide the industry expertise needed to push for practical reopening guidelines for that are as safe as possible for employees and customers.

In our latest communication, we outlined four industry imperatives for Governor Brown and her professional staff:

• First, we need additional clarity around ‘Gating Criteria’ and ‘Core State Preparedness’ goals outlined by the Governor’s office to better understand the path ahead to begin Phase One.
• Second, we need as much advance notice as possible to support employees and managers as they prepare for Phase One openings.
• Third, we want to make sure all business models within our industry are treated equitably. If an operation can adhere to approved safety guidelines, they should have the opportunity to open whether a bowling alley or a winery.
• And fourth, we need a ‘safe harbor’ provision outlined by Governor Brown to set expectations amongst customers, employees, and operators regarding COVID-19 liability issues. 

Please take a moment to view our comments in their entirety on the “COVID-19 Alerts & Resources” page. As we continue to work with the Governor’s office to develop these protocols, we will share information as soon as it becomes available to better help you and your teams prepare for this unprecedented reopening phase. 

The coming weeks will prove crucial. Let’s work together to better understand the benchmarks we must meet to instill confidence in Oregonians that we have the health care capacity we need to meet demand and protect the health and safety of Oregonians, while getting serious about reopening our economy in a safe and responsible way.

[April 17, 2020] - Latest Reopening Plans from Governor's Office

Earlier today the Governor’s Chief of Staff Nik Blosser walked us through the slide deck on what an Oregon reopening framework looks like. Click the button to view the latest version (v.4) of the Public Health Framework for Restarting Public Life and Business:

The following our my takeaways from the presentation:

• The framework starts with a focus on ‘Gating Criteria’ – declining symptoms and cases with a reopening of regular hospital procedures alongside adequate COVID testing being the focal points
• Once those data points are triggered, ongoing testing, contact tracing, and isolation are priorities with adequate personal protective equipment inventory and hospital surge capacity
• From there a phased in reopening of the economy can begin with 14-day periods initially established for each phase
• A couple thoughts here:
  • Oregon is in a precarious situation alongside other states in not having adequate testing materials to ramp up the way we need to. Testing capacity is there for the most part but the materials to submit a sample for testing is a core problem.
  • The plan relies on active data tracking at the county level. And it’s possible that certain criteria being met in certain regions of the state could result in activating a phased in reopening in some areas of Oregon before others. The concept of reopening on a regional basis is on the table for consideration.
  • 5 working groups are being created for involvement in reopening guidelines. The first meeting of a working group designated for restaurants/foodservice will start this coming week and will include representation from ORLA.
  • In Phase One, ‘Large Venues’ are referenced as being able to open (restaurant dining rooms, theaters, sports venues, etc.) with strict social distancing guidelines. This designation in Phase One was on President Trump’s slide deck and also put into Oregon’s but we are dealing with concerns about ‘Large Venues’ being opened in Oregon in Phase One amongst the Governor’s staff.
  • ORLA will have an Advisory Group (first meeting Monday at 4pm) that compiles reopening concepts and procedures for both restaurants and lodging. Feedback from this group will be directly fed to any applicable working groups convened by the Governor’s office.

As a reminder, consider participating in one of our upcoming Virtual Town Halls.

[April 8, 2020]

Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-14 aligning Oregon’s current dine-in prohibition with thousands of other closed businesses across the state under Oregon’s ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ order. Drive through, takeout, and delivery services remain optional for restaurants interested in operating at limited capacities. Lodging operations remain open in some cases to serve accommodation needs related to COVID-19 orders issued by Brown.

Oregon has clearly been successful in flattening the curve and that is a testament to our health care industry and the work which continues across our state. I have found this resource to be more helpful than most in tracking the peaks of Covid-19 on a case by case basis across the country:

• Coronavirus State-By-State Projections: When Will Each State Peak?

In utilizing this tool for Oregon, modeling suggests our state will experience peak demand for health care services on April 24. If you start randomly choosing other states through the tool you will find that the economically painful mitigation efforts Oregon has taken have directly helped save lives.

In reviewing the data, it seems Oregon will be better positioned than most states to continue the crucial conversation of what relaxing social distancing policies looks like. How do we turn the corner for Oregon’s hospitality businesses and our approximately 200,000 employees? What does rebuild look like and over what duration?

ORLA is committed to leading alongside other business organizations in making sure the State of Oregon relaxes social distancing policies in line with a data driven approach. If the above projection holds true, Oregon should be positioned to gradually relax some restrictions as early as May. And we certainly hope that will be the case.

It is on all of us to demonstrate how we can hold the line on Oregon’s current peak projection and continue the sacrifices we are all making as we move through COVID-19 case decline later this month. When the data forecasts showcase a reduction in second wave risk, we need to move quickly to get Oregon in a position to rebuild. I believe this state can be a leader in that race. If you have ideas of how full proof social distancing procedures could be implemented in your business, please share your thoughts with me via email, jbrandt@oregonrla.org.

[April 1, 2020]
 
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced a 90-day moratorium on commercial evictions across Oregon. Executive Order 20-13 represents decisive action by Governor Brown to protect Oregon hospitality businesses and assist them in planning out a path to recovery. Our goal in working with all partners is to do whatever we can to assist our state in winning the race to recovery while keeping as many Oregonians employed as possible.
 
Governor Brown’s executive order states “a temporary moratorium on terminations of residential and non­residential rental agreements and evictions on the basis of nonpayment is necessary during this emergency, to protect the public health, safety and welfare of all Oregonians. The moratorium set forth in this Executive Order is temporary, with a limited scope and duration. It addresses the immediate needs identified above, pursuant to my emergency powers, but does not otherwise undermine contractual bargains, interfere with parties' reasonable expectations, or prevent parties from safeguarding or reinstating their rights. The directives of this Executive Order are appropriate, necessary, and reasonable means by which to implement the significant and legitimate public purpose of responding to the declaration of a state of emergency I issued on March 8, 2020.”
 
ORLA continues to advocate for ongoing relief in partnership with federal, state, and local elected leaders. To view ORLA’s relief framework and add your business to the list of supporters click here: Sign On to ORLA's Proposed Relief Efforts.

[March 30, 2020]

In this morning's video address to the industry, I cover the following updates:

• How lodging accommodations that remain open are providing a service to essential workers;
• ORLA's proposed relief efforts for the upcoming special session;
• Virtual Town Halls to accommodate important conversations with members around the state.
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Watch Video Now
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In case you missed it, ORLA created a Hospitality Action & Relief Center to help connect small businesses and their employees with ongoing statewide advocacy priorities and relief outcomes. Be sure to see the list of Relief Available for Employers & Employees we are constantly updating, as well as ORLA's Proposed Relief Efforts.

With the passage of the CARES Act, signed into law March 27, new relief opportunities are now available including: Paycheck Protection Program, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Qualified Improvement Property fix, and SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants. Read more on our Federal Action Taken page.

[March 26, 2020]

The following update is being provided to the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association as a result of ongoing national partnerships taking place between the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. A special thanks to Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association for the following summary on our nation’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”):

Last night, congressional leaders finally released the final text of their $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package. The agreement includes a dramatic expansion of unemployment insurance, a rescue fund for state and local governments, immediate cash for hospitals, and a huge pool of grants and loans for small businesses.

Passage in both chambers is all but assured – the only question is one of timing. The Senate is on a path to pass the bill this evening. Timing of a House bill remains murky. A vote Thursday night or Friday morning is likely. President Trump is likely to sign the bill very soon thereafter.

Our formal assessment of the bill is attached. Overall the bill is very strong, with many provisions that specifically reflect our Association’s asks from last week. Here are the highlights of the deal:

SBA Loans
The measure creates a $349 billion program for the SBA to offer unique loans to small businesses (500 or fewer employees). The loan amount is based on 250% of the borrower’s average monthly payroll cost for the preceding year (provisions for seasonal employers are included), up to $10 million. Collateral requirements are waived, and the “credit elsewhere” requirements (which have slowed down the process) have been waived as well. The loan is forgiven if used for payroll costs, mortgage interest, or rent/utilities. 

• An exception was made to the small business requirement for restaurants and hotels. The 500-employee number is based on the number of employees at each physical location. So a restaurant with 600 employees over five restaurant properties would qualify for these loans. This ensures that a number of larger independent restaurants and franchise owners can participate. 

Tax Benefits
The agreement offers restaurant owners relief in the form of Net Operating Loss (NOL) carrybacks, delay of payment of employer payroll taxes, and an Employee Retention Tax Credit.

Qualified Improvement Property
At long last, restaurants can immediately write off costs associated with improving facilities. The QIP fix is complete.

Next Steps

• Webinars from the Association for our membership outlining how to approach these benefits. We will offer briefings from our policy team, updates from our outside counsel, and specific sessions with representatives of key agencies like the SBA.
• A new web portal for online access to briefings, updates, and links to key agencies.
• This legislation will require regulatory action from the Administration. We are working to minimize disruption for our members and get recovery assistance out as quickly as possible.
• Congress is likely to draft subsequent recovery bills. We are working on what industry-specific provisions should be included.

[March 25, 2020] - To Friends of Oregon Hospitality,

The following update was provided by our friends at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the National Restaurant Association. Democratic Leader Schumer released a letter to his colleagues identifying what was secured in the bill. A summary of Democratic Leader Schumer’s list is below and ORLA will be working closely with our national partners today and tomorrow as the federal package moves through crucial votes and gets finalized.

• 4 months of extended unemployment insurance, instead of 3 months
• $55 billion increase in the Marshall Plan for our Health Care System
• $150 billion for a state, tribal, and local Coronavirus Relief Fund
• $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs
• $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans
• $30 billion in emergency education funding and $25 billion in emergency transit funding
• $30 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private nonprofits providing critical and essential services
• More than $10 billion for the Indian Health Services and other tribal programs
• Make rent, mortgage, and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness
• Ban stock buybacks for the term of the government assistance plus 1 year on any company receiving a government loan from the bill. 
• Establish robust worker protections attached to all federal loans for businesses
• Create real-time public reporting of Treasury transactions under the Act, including terms of loans, investments or other assistance to corporations
• Create of Treasury Department Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery to provide oversight of Treasury loans and a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to protect taxpayer dollars
• Add a retention tax credit for employers to encourage businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis
• Provide income tax exclusion for individuals who are receiving student loan repayment assistance from their employer
• Save hundreds of thousands of airline industry jobs and prohibit airlines from stock buybacks and CEO bonuses

 
Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

[March 23, 2020] - Hello Friends of Oregon Hospitality:

Today, Governor Kate Brown executed Executive Order 20-12 which requires non-essential businesses outlined in the order to close effective 12:01 am on Tuesday, March 24. Here are comments from ORLA regarding the new executive order and what it means for Oregon’s restaurant and lodging operations:

• Many additional businesses have been added to the list of operations being forced to close by order of the Governor. We have heard loud and clear from restaurant operators around the state regarding last week’s executive action being inequitable for dining room operators given the lack of adherence to social distancing guidelines by others throughout the past week. Today’s executive order expands upon the types of businesses viewed by the Governor who will be unable to enforce social distancing protocols to prevent spread of COVID-19.
• Lodging operations remain open with the exception of public and private campgrounds. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV Parks providing shelter for emergency responders, health care specialists, and other workers not banned by today’s Executive Order may remain open in service to these guests. Social distancing protocols must be enacted for all lodging establishments who are choosing to stay open. Failure to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order could result in immediate closure by government officials.
• Local authorities along Oregon’s coast took action over the weekend to prevent lodging establishments from staying open. The Governor’s Executive Order today “occupies the field” regarding business closures in light of its completeness, its designation of authority for additional closures in paragraph 5, and its third to last paragraph. The third to last paragraph explicitly preempts local laws that are “inconsistent with this exercise of the Governor’s emergency powers.” Lodging establishments across Oregon are not on the list of required closures and therefore must adhere to strict social distancing protocols and keep both employees and guests safe as we provide shelter to those working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. ORLA will work with local authorities along the coast to achieve more clarity on the actions they have taken over the weekend and their view of the Governor’s Executive Order.
• For all in hospitality, now is the time to showcase our commitment to social distancing if you are an operator choosing to stay open. Most have adopted strict social distancing procedures to keep your employees and your guests safe and we highly recommend strict adherence in all instances to the goals established through social distancing. When interacting with guests and employees, all human interaction should “maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any person who is not a member of [your] immediate household.”
• ORLA’s work in pursuit of hospitality relief continues in partnership with industry stakeholders at the local, regional, state, and federal levels of government. Our framework for ongoing relief activity includes:
  • Pursuit of an immediate infusion of cash through a federal relief program as well as through a Hospitality Recovery Grant program in the State of Oregon.
  • Streamline Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance system in partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and Oregon Legislators to get hospitality workers and small business owners the help they need now.
  • Ensure all decisions relating to COVID-19 mitigation and containment are made at a statewide level. Consistency in rulemaking and enforcement across the State of Oregon throughout the duration of the declared emergency and beyond is critical.

Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

[March 20, 2020] - ORLA continues to take unprecedented steps to engage in every possible way on COVID-19 in support of Oregon Hospitality. In the last 36 hours, significant updates have been added online to ORLA’s website which has been redesigned to hone in on the needs of industry members looking for answers in an ever changing environment.
 
The following steps have been taken in the past 36 hours:

• ORLA’s Frequently Asked Questions sheet is live on the main page of the website. You can view that fluid document here.
• ORLA has launched a Hospitality Action Center to assist with compiled relief proposals desired by industry members. This includes a comprehensive list of relief considerations at the state level for both restaurants and lodging properties as well as separate list at the federal level for lodging members and restaurant members.
  • Restaurants & Lodging: Take Action at the State Level
  • Restaurants: Take Action at the Federal Level
  • Lodging Operators: Take Action at the Federal Level
• ORLA’s presentation in front of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response has been updated and posted online. You can view the presentation by clicking here.
• We currently have 475 advocates signed up through our Phone2Action system. Already, 336 have opted in for texts. Text ‘ORLA’ to 52886 if you are not currently on the system. 
• Allied Video Productions in Salem, Oregon has made available their studio for ORLA video updates as needed. A huge thanks to our friends at the studio for opening up their place of business to our urgent industry needs. The first video dated March 20 is posted online.
• Media coverage and engagement is non-stop. I will be live on Think Out Loud on OPB with Dave Miller this Monday between Noon and 1pm. For ORLA’s recent press release, click here.
• Developments on advocacy priorities take place almost daily in the current environment. To keep up to date, visit the ‘Happenings’ section through this link.

 
Sincerely,
 
Jason Brandt
President & CEO

[March 18, 2020] - ORLA CEO UPDATE FOR OREGON'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

The ORLA team is working at a feverish pitch to provide the resources and opportunities restaurant and lodging businesses need to stay engaged and make a difference as we weather this monumental storm together. We have a laser-like focus on all things COVID-19 in service to you, our hospitality industry partners. Please see below for high level updates from our recent activities over the past day as we continue moving through an unprecedented workload:
 

• ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley and myself will present to the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response today. Our comprehensive presentation on COVID-19 industry impact and relief needs for employers in Oregon’s restaurant and lodging operations will be made available online immediately following the committee meeting. Look for the full presentation to be posted by 2pm. Many of you fueled this presentation with your ideas and suggestions – thank you for those contributions.
  
  
• The Governor’s Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council met for the first time on March 17. Myself along with other business representatives and state and labor representatives will continue to meet for as long as it takes to free up cash and relief for your operations so you can come back strong after the crisis subsides. The Economic Advisory Council represents ORLA’s direct connection to Governor Kate Brown. There will be many opportunities for us to advocate for the broad needs of our industry as we grapple with the fallout of business closures and lost business in the coming months.
  
  
• ORLA is in regular contact with local governments and urging their coordination and partnership when considering policies that impact lodging establishments around the state.
  
  
• ORLA is publishing a Frequently Asked Questions digital resource that we will update on a fluid basis online. This resource represents our best attempt to consolidate questions in one place from hundreds if not thousands of calls, emails, and texts our professional staff of 17 have been fielding over the past several days. Look for the FAQ document to go live today.
  
  
• Our industry has proven over the years to be resilient and I truly believe that the round-the-clock actions we are taking during this trying time will best position all of your teams for the future.
  
  
• And lastly, I’m asking every interested hotel and restaurant operator to sign up for crucial text message alerts and calls to action. You can make a difference by staying plugged in through your mobile devices. There are constant opportunities for your voice to be heard at the local, state, and federal levels and we’ll need your support on multiple fronts. Text “ORLA” to 52886 – now is the time to show the breadth and power of an industry that has been providing paychecks to over 180,000 employees in Oregon for years.

 
Please stay strong and utilize the skill sets available to you on the ORLA professional staff. Our Government Affairs Team and our Regional Representatives on the ground are here to serve each of you, every day, until we get through this together.
 
Sincerely,
​
Jason Brandt
President & CEO

​[March 16, 2020] - STATEMENT BY ORLA PRESIDENT & CEO JASON BRANDT

Restaurants across Oregon serve as cornerstones of our local economies employing more than 155,000 people. From urban centers to rural towns, thousands of establishments provide us with places to break bread with family, friends, and build community. 

Most of us know the experience of a favorite local restaurant, filled with familiar faces and employees who know us by name. Right now, that restaurant is hurting -- and the workers and families who depend on our patronage are wondering how they will put food on the table. 

Effective midnight tonight (at 12:01 a.m., March 17, 2020), Governor Brown has ordered all dining rooms across Oregon to close over a 4 week period. This decision will have immediate and immeasurable impacts on thousands of Oregon families who depend on Oregon’s restaurant industry for a paycheck. Immediate unemployment insurance relief is crucial with a removal of the one-week waiting period and removal of the search for work requirement. Additional relief needs will also prove crucial for Oregon’s broader hospitality industry and all impacted employees.

The social distancing required to slow the spread of COVID-19 means we need to temporarily change our lives, especially around our favorite gathering spaces as recently announced by Oregon Governor Kate Brown and many health experts from around the world. Oregonians must not forget about the families and workers whose lives depend on restaurants, bars, wineries and brewpubs during this time. They need our support, and that is why our industry is mobilizing to expand take-out and delivery options to serve our customers over the coming weeks. If we can't eat out, now is the time for Oregonians to order in. 

We must stay resolved and committed to the important role of hospitality to our economy, culture and everyday lives. Once these social isolation measures lift, Oregonians all share a collective responsibility to do our part to quickly return to our favorite gathering spots and put paychecks back onto the kitchen tables of hundreds of thousands of Oregon families who may not get one over the coming months.

[March 12, 2020] - ORLA CEO UPDATE FOR OREGON'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
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The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) exists to protect, improve, and promote Oregon hospitality. We find ourselves in an incredibly challenging situation as our industry works to mitigate panic around the growing concern of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Oregon and throughout the country.

As of last night, Governor Kate Brown has declared a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more in Oregon over the course of the next 4 weeks. This will undoubtedly have an immeasurable impact on industry employees and business operations. ORLA will continue to keep lines of communication open with the Governor’s office, the Oregon Health Authority, and other key leaders in our state as we work to gather data on the economic impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat is having and as we seek relief for impacted hospitality employees and businesses.

The following list summarizes work being conducted at ORLA on your behalf. Please save this email for reference and share as needed.

Coronavirus Resources
All hospitality businesses in Oregon have access to ORLA’s coronavirus resource page at OregonRLA.org/covid19. The following site represents our digital headquarters for all resource links, employer tips, safety guidelines, and decontamination services. This site will be updated regularly as we continue responding to industry needs in partnership with the National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. 

ORLA’s Online Member Portal
Additional work is being put into document development for ORLA members beyond the resource page linked above. A member login and password for this section is required. Primary documents behind ORLA’s member wall in the Resource Library include template examples members can use as a starting point for how to communicate with both employees and customers. If you need access to your ORLA User Name and Password, please reach out directly to Jennifer Starr via email at jstarr@oregonrla.org.

Advocacy on behalf of Oregon Hospitality
Your statewide association is working to make sure key elected officials understand the economic impact of decisions being made as they work in partnership with public health officials to manage the spread of the coronavirus. A term called ‘flattening the curve’ is the ultimate goal of elected leaders and public health officials. The term represents an effort to keep demand for coronavirus health care services at or below the capacity of our state’s health care system. The short term effect will directly correlate to economic loss and as such, we need to collect data now to best represent relief needs of the industry in association with our national partners. Please stay tuned as ORLA develops ongoing survey outreach in an effort to track the magnitude of the impact so we can best represent the needs of your business and your employees.

In addition, we are asking the Governor’s office for consideration against any travel bans in Oregon as well as relief for Oregon hospitality employers and employees. Focus areas for us to date include:

• Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending – we are hearing loud and clear that gap loans and relief are of critical importance to Oregon’s independent restaurants and broader industry.
• Authorizing an exemption to Oregon’s Predictive Scheduling law for Oregon hospitality businesses given the inability to predict anything. There is some openness to this across both sides of the aisle and in the Governor’s Office with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) also involved.
• Accessing Work Share Oregon for hospitality employees. From their website: When times are tough, Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employees whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors.

Stay Up To Date with Push Notifications
The situation relating to coronavirus is changing on a daily basis. As a result, we are repurposing our mobile push notifications in the short term for coronavirus updates including actions you can take to assist us at ORLA in representing your interests. Text “ORLA” to 52886 to get signed up as we work to gather economic data on industry impact and keep you apprised of the latest developments. Confidentiality relating to any data shared will be a top priority for us.

I’ll close by saying it continues to be an honor for those of us on ORLA’s professional staff to serve Oregon hospitality. We believe in the importance of integrity and transparency in all that we do and you have our commitment to continue walking alongside each of you as we collectively navigate our current challenges and those that we will face together in the future.

​Sincerely,

Jason Brandt
President & CEO

Get Certified through the Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity 

Some government projects have specific requirements or targets for their contracts to be awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses. The primary goal of Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) is to level the playing field by providing certified firms a fair opportunity to compete for government contracts regardless of owner ethnicity, gender, disability, or firm size.

Discover which certifications you qualify for. Once certified, you are added to a database searched by many municipalities, state, and pseudo-government agencies, increasing your opportunities to compete for public contracting. Certifying your business for as many certifications as qualified for helps make it possible to grow and overcome barriers.
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Learn more about getting certified by visiting the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity online. 

We welcome industry members' article submissions relevant to the restaurant and lodging industry in Oregon. Association members are primarily considered and encouraged to share expertise and perspective following the guidelines below for submitting an article. Please note, we do not publish press releases.

The criteria outlined below in no way guarantees your submission will be published at all, or that a submission will appear in any particular issue. The submission should satisfy the criteria, but is entirely subject to editing for length and content.
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• The submission should cover an issue, product or service of relevance to the Oregon restaurant and lodging industry, disseminating information for the betterment of the industry.
• The article should be written in an objective fashion (not self-serving). Submissions which excessively quote or include biographical or gratuitous company information, or which draw specific attention to the company submitting the article rather than the issue at hand, are subject to removal or rewording of such content. Print advertising is available for promotional efforts.
• The submission length of 500-1000 is preferred. Artwork and/or photos are also recommended as they enhance readership. Appropriate photo releases may be required if the photo(s) include individuals or copyrighted material or trademarked products. Images must be print resolution and saved at 300 DPI in either jpg, eps or tif format. Do not embed images in submitted document.
• To be considered for placement in the magazine, it is recommended articles fit monthly editorial theme; check media kit for topics. All articles must be written in magazine article format; press release-styled submissions will not be published.
• Articles must include a header and subhead and be reasonable in length. The article may be bylined, and a short bio may be supplied with the submission. Contact information (website and/or email only) is allowable.
• Articles should be easy reads. While an article's subject matter may be complex, the writing style and presentation of information and/or ideas should be clear and deliberate.
• Articles should embrace a standard of excellence. The overall aim should be to present information utilizing very professional literary and grammatical standards. All articles are reviewed, proof read and wherever necessary edited to meet ORLA standards.
• As much as possible, the author should have a demonstrated knowledge of subject matter.
• Increase your chance for being published by becoming an ORLA member today!

To submit an article for consideration in any of ORLA's communication vehicles please email Editor, Lori Little, at LLittle@OregonRLA.org.