May 11th Update: Gov’s Advisory Board Issues Reopening Guidance | Legislation Proposed to Support Local Restaurants | Health Insurance, Unemployment & HR Webinars This Week

Preliminary guidelines issued from the Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board. Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a four-phase approach to reopening the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins. The goal of the phased reopening, based on public health guidance, is to methodically allow certain businesses, services, and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases. Learn more.

Bipartisan legislation introduced to cap third-party delivery service fees. HD5054, An Act relative to restaurant delivery commissions during the COVID-19 state of emergency  would cap the amount that third-party delivery services could charge smaller restaurants and other food and beverage service establishments for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency. The third-party apps that now handle the food and drink delivery for many restaurants who no longer can offer dine in seating (GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, etc.) are imposing fees on these restaurants up to 30% of the order total. HD5054 will cap the fees these delivery services at 10% of the cost of the order. This legislation will only apply to establishments that have four or fewer retail locations and it will expire 45 days after the Governor lifts the state of emergency. Read the bill here.

How to Save on Monthly Health Insurance Premiums Webinar Tomorrow @ 11:30 AM. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion with administrators from the MA Health Connector and John Vigliotti of John Vigliotti Insurance & Consulting.  The webinar will consist of approximately a 30-minute presentation followed by Q & A.

This webinar is offered at no cost, but preregistration is required. Learn more or register.

COVID-19 Business Impacts Roundtable Webinar @ 4:00PM Tomorrow. Also on Tuesday, MP, in conjunction with nine area chambers of commerce, is bringing you a Q&A and roundtable discussion to address the most pressing human resources issues of area businesses.

Topics will include HR questions and struggles during COVID-19, employee issues, safety concerns and PPE, PPP loan forgiveness, paid time off questions and opening your business and getting employees back to work.

This webinar is offered at no cost, but preregistration is required. Register here.

Unemployment Town Hall with Senator Lewis and DUA on Thursday, 5/14 @ 10:30AM. On Thursday, Senator Jason Lewis will host a Town Hall with Secretary Rosalin Acosta, of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Chief Counsel Martha Wishart and Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy, Jessica Muradian of the Department of Unemployment Assistance. Questions may be submitted prior to the webinar by contacting Emily Granoff at egranoff@masenate.gov or (617) 722-1206.  Call information is below.