As part of the Governor’s initiative for antibody sampling of essential workers, food delivery and restaurant workers will be offered the opportunity to receive free COVID-19 antibody testing. Sampling will be available to these employees from Monday 6/1 through Thursday 6/4 at the 8 sites listed below. This test will indicate whether an individual was…

The State released guidance for Phase 2 businesses to reopen and unfortunately restaurants and bars were not allowed to open on a limited basis in this phase, as of yet. We’re deeply disappointed but we’re not quitting. Allowing your establishments to open with limitations in Phase 2 is what the CDC guidance recommends . Our…

Join the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association and other hospitality groups for an industry briefing with Senator Schumer Wednesday, May 27th at 10:15 AM. Host: Senator Charles Schumer Event number (access code): 907 099 821 Event password: NpE2rHiFP77 Link: https://senate.webex.com/senate/onstage/g.php?MTID=e5134368e81eed7e7c92c634cf880bd15   Join the audio conference only To receive a call back, provide your phone…

Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed seven pieces of legislation providing relief for tenants, commercial establishments, and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new laws support struggling small businesses by imposing limits on third-party food delivery services, extending the suspension of sidewalk cafe fee collection, and protecting commercial tenants from harassment and personal liability. Together,…

By Steve Barnes, Albany Times Union Two lobbying groups are asking the state to allow New York’s restaurants and bars to begin serving in-house customers again during the second phase of economic reopening instead of two weeks later during the third phase, as is the case under the current state plan. The New York State…

Governor announces Mid-Hudson region to start Phase One on Tuesday…   Long Island “on track” to start Phase One on Wednesday but not a done deal

The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE.  The NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all…

The State is extending the sales tax filing deadline to June 22nd

The Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, which lobbies for restaurant and bar owners, is urging the state to allow restaurants to reopen sooner — in Phase 2 — according to plans submitted to Empire State Development last week and released to the public Tuesday. As New York state reopens its economy in phases, restaurants are…

The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association has represented restaurants and bars throughout the State since 1935. These establishments have been closed for weeks, except for take-out and delivery, causing economic distress for the businesses and their hardworking employees. They’re anxious to reopen as soon as the health metrics outlined by the Governor are met.…

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2020/05/19/restaurants-ny-want-open-sooner-than-planned-how-theyd-do/5218212002/ ALBANY – Restaurants in upstate New York would have to likely wait a month before they could reopen under the state’s current plan. They want the process sped up. The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association is urging state leaders to let restaurants and bars open sooner, saying they face ongoing economic distress and…

What’s New? The statewide shutdown, known as New York On PAUSE, came to an end Friday when the Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, and Southern Tier regions entered Phase One of the reopening process. The Capital District and Western New York regions are poised to enter Phase One this week. The…