Dozens of States Have Started Reopening
But not N.J. Here’s why. More than half of the United States has made some sort of move to lift restrictions to reopen the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. According to The New York Times, 30 states have adjusted restrictions regarding retail stores, salons and restaurant service. New Hampshire, Ohio, Louisiana, New Mexico and Vermont will join that list in the coming week. In New Jersey and 14 others states, easing coronavirus restrictions still doesn’t have a definitive timeline. Gov. Murphy has looked into letting more essential businesses reopen with social distancing rules, but has reiterated he won’t implement those changes until data and health officials give them the green light.
America Reopening
Dozens of states including Michigan, Ohio ease coronavirus restrictions this week. The U.S. is continuing its gradual reopening this week, with more than a dozen states easing strict lockdown measures that shuttered businesses and brought the daily lives of millions of Americans to a halt for more than a month as part of a critical tradeoff to slow the spread of the coronavirus. States across the country believe they have “flattened the curve” of infections enough to phase in their economies under new health guidelines and restrictions to protect citizens from the COVID-19 virus.
Consumers’ Uncertainty of Doing Some Activities is Shrinking
As some spaces reopen. As restaurants, retailers and other businesses slowly move toward reopening their doors following the relaxation of stay-at-home orders in some states, new trend data shows that consumers’ uncertainty about when they expect to feel comfortable returning to public spaces is ticking down. 1 in 5 respondents said they’d feel comfortable going out to eat in the next month.
Legal and Regulatory Developments – Business Interruption Insurance
For COVID-19 related losses. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant economic consequences in the US, a key issue for insurers and businesses throughout the country will be whether all or a portion of losses may be covered by insurance. Because many commercial insurance policies do not provide business interruption coverage for losses occasioned by COVID-19 related shutdowns, legislative and regulatory pressure on insurers to pay business interruption losses despite what their policies say will continue, as well as litigation seeking to determine if coverage exists under such policies. The insurance industry has made its position clear: standard businessowners, commercial property and commercial package policies do not cover business interruption losses caused by COVID-19.
Did You Know?
5 surprising ways a restaurant’s survival affects your town. The U.S. economy has cratered as a result of the shelter in place guidelines that have come with the coronavirus outbreak, though no set of businesses have been more negatively affected than restaurants. As a result, a new report suggests that the survival rate for many city’s dining establishments will have a direct impact on how cities and towns themselves bounce back from the lockdown. The restaurant industry not only employs up to 15 million citizens, the vast majority of which are now unemployed, but it also provides a vital cog in an urban economic network. We all miss and rely on the joy of going out to dinner at your favorite restaurant—the loud and joyous energy in the air. Restaurants play a critical role in our lives and in the U.S. economy. Here are just a few surprising things in your local city or town that will be directly impacted by the survival of your favorite, beloved restaurants and bars.
Employee Tip
Social Distancing Outside: 8 Safe Places to Go and Things to Do. If you’re practicing social distancing (as both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization are advising), chances are you’re limiting trips outside your home to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. But fresh air is good for your health, too, and social distancing doesn’t have to be a strictly in-home activity. As temperatures warm around the country, it’s a great time to get outside. Plus, with fewer people out and about, you’ll be treated to sounds like birds and trees blowing in the wind. Although most experts agree there’s no problem with going outside, there are some precautions you need to take. For example, the CDC recommends keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others. Additionally, the CDC advises washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and using hand sanitizer often to prevent the spread of the virus.
Bielat Santore & Company – Restaurant Industry Daily Alerts
New restaurant industry survey. Beginning next Wednesday, May 6th, Bielat Santore & Company will conduct a survey of restaurant owners and operators throughout the NY-NJ-PA metropolitan area, emphasizing the challenges the industry is facing during COVID-19 pandemic.
The firm will donate $1 dollar for every valid survey response it receives to the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC). The Independent Restaurant Coalition was formed to save the local restaurants affected by COVID-19. “Our firm is committed to working with the active community of restauranteurs and hospitality operators, many of whom are our clients, to help with the rescue and reopening of their industry,” states Richard Santore, Partner in Bielat Santore & Company.
Look for the survey to appear in next Wednesday’s Restaurant Industry Daily Alert, as well as on the company’s website at www.123bsc.com/news/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/123BSC/ In addition to the company’s monetary donation, if enough survey responses are submitted, Bielat Santore & Company will publish a comprehensive report compiling the results of the survey for distribution.
A voice for our industry. If you are finding these daily bulletins informative and beneficial during this pandemic, we kindly ask that you write a brief Google review providing a vote of your appreciation. Simply Google “Bielat Santore & Company” and when the company name appears click the button on the right to write your review or; if you don’t use Gmail, go to Google Maps, type “Bielat Santore & Company” – Allenhurst, NJ into Google Maps; scroll down and you will see an option to leave a review.
Thank you and remember all of the “Restaurant Industry Alerts” and “Thursday Restaurant Rap” interviews can be found at www.123bsc.com/news/. We intend to continue to keep you informed as we all look for an end to this crisis.
