Weekly update: What the new CDC masking guidance means for Washington businesses

What the new CDC masking guidance means for Washington businesses

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new masking guidance this week due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus delta variant. The CDC now recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in indoor public settings in areas with substantial or high transmission rates. 

At a press conference this week, Gov. Jay Inslee stated Washington will follow the guidance issued by the CDC.

Click here to read more.

Missed out on RRF? We need to hear from you!

The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) has been a critical lifeline for struggling businesses. Unfortunately, that allocation wasn’t nearly enough to meet the demand. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) received nearly $75 billion in requests.

While the RRF has officially closed, multiple bills to replenish the fund by up to $60 billion are being debated in Congress right now.

YOUR stories are critical to getting additional RRF funding approved by Congress! If you were approved for RRF but didn’t receive grant funds, we need to hear from you! Please reach out to the Washington Hospitality Association’s Grassroots Coordinator Jordan Caron at: jordanc@wahospitality.org to share your story.

Your voice matters: What’s on tap with new alcohol sales and service rules

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is inviting the public to comment on draft rules related to temporary alcohol to-go policies enacted by the Legislature earlier this year. This public comment meeting will be an excellent opportunity to share your stories about how important alcohol to-go sales have been for your business.

Click here for more information. 

When: 1-4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 5
Where: Join on your computer or smartphone using Microsoft Teams

Help put an end to human trafficking 

Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry affecting more than 40 million adults and children worldwide. Hotels play an important role in the global effort to end human trafficking.

The AHLA is hosting a free virtual event at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 30 to raise awareness of new trafficking prevention resources and trainings for hotel employees. You can also download this No Room For Trafficking resource guide to learn more about human trafficking and how to prevent it.

Reminder: Paid Leave reports due July 31

Second Quarter (April, May, June) Paid Family and Medical Leave reports are due on July 31 for Washington employers. Learn more

[CEO Podcast] Creating a great workplace culture with Anthony Anton 

Join Washington Hospitality Association President and CEO Anthony Anton as he discusses creating a great workplace culture to attract employees to your business. We’ll meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 4. Click here to register.

In case you missed it

• Current Coronavirus guidance and requirements
• Food delivery disruptions may affect your business
• [Members only] Webinar replay on service charge disclosures
• What you need to know for wildfire season
• [Toolkit] Vaccination and mask policies for employers
• [Toolkit] Back to work
• [Toolkit] How to use ESD’s SharedWork program to get your employees back to work

Industry roundup

• Local restaurants reel after food distributor severs service (Chinook Observer)
• Data shows many leaving the hospitality industry (Q-13 Fox)
• Canada to reopen Washington border Aug. 8 (Washington Post)
• Nine Seattle bars shut down temporarily over the weekend due to COVID-19  (Seattle Times)
• U.S. room rates reach an all-time high (Lodging Magazine)
• SBA launches new Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness portal (Puget Sound Business Journal)