Coronavirus Update for Innkeepers (4/20/21)

PABBI, to the best of our ability, will provide you updated information to help you make the best decisions for your business including information on economic relief programs. Thank you for your role in keeping Pennsylvanians safe and healthy by reducing the spread of COVID-19.

This page will be updated as PABBI receives new information. If you have any questions or need guidance, please contact a PABBI Board Member, the Board Chair or our Director. Working together, we will get through this.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE / FUNDING

Paycheck Protection Program

Starting February 24, 2021, the Small Business Administration will only review or accept Paycheck Protection Program applications from businesses with fewer than 20 employees for the next two weeks. The program ends on May 31, 2021 and we encourage you to explore your options prior to its expiration.

COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP)

$145 million is available to support hotels, restaurants, bars, and taverns. Grants will be available up to $50,000. Eligible applicants will apply through your county. Applicants must have no more than 300 employees and a net worth of less than $15 million. Priority will go to businesses that haven't yet received state or federal aid, had to close as a result of Gov. Tom Wolf's coronaivirus mitigation orders, or can show a 50% loss of income after March 2020.

The Department of Community & Economic Development has made the grant award to each counties. Counties began accepting applications on March 15. Please check your county website or economic development organization for specific information on filing an application. To be eligible your NAICS codes must be 721 or 722 and show economic losses due to the pandemic. NAICS code for bed and breakfasts is 721191. As of 3/31/21 some counties have closed their program, while other counties are still open due to an insufficient number of applications. You may still have an opportunity to apply in some counties.

TRAVEL

Traveler Testing Order

Governor Wolf issued a press release on 3/1/21 announcing the elimination of out-of-state travel restrictions. It recinds the previous order to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a 14 day quarantine. The new order also revised maximum occupancy levels for indoor and outdoor events. The administration will continue to monitor the risks posed by COVID-19 across the commonwealth and will reinstate or institute new targeted mitigation tactics as necessary.

More Options for Restaurants & Gatherings

Effective April 4, 2021, restaurants may resume bar service; alcohol service will be allowed without the purchase of food; the curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables will be lifted; and indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75% for those restaurants that are currently self-certified which involves agreeing to strictly comply to all public health safety guidelines and orders, including the cleaning and mitigation protocols and other operational requirements. Requirements such as mask-wearing, and social distancing, including 6 feet between diners still apply. Personal services facilities, gyms and entertainment facilities (casinos, theaters, malls) can increase occupancy to 75%. Maximum occupancy for indoor events is 25% of maximum occupancy, and 50% occupancy for outdoor events.

Masking Order

Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors when away from your home. Outdoor masking is required if you cannot maintain at least 6 feet distance between someone not from your household. Indoor masking is required at all facilities.
For dining establishments, once guests are seated they must continue to wear their masks until food or beverage is served.
Read the Mask Order FAQs.

Innkeepers can accept reservations for leisure travelers and are required to follow Business and Building Safety Orders as set forth by the Department of Health. Effective October 9, 2020, The Governor and Secretary Levine's July 5, 2020 orders were amended to allow for venue occuplancy limits to play a bigger role in determining the number of people permitted to attend inside and outside events. For more information and to review FAQs, please click here.

You can view the latest guidance at the PA Department of Health website. PABBI supports the American Hotel & Lodging Association Stay Safe Initiative. You can download the latest safe stay guidelines. PABBI has also used this document along with the documentation issued by the Department of Health and Govenor's Office to develop Lodging Guidelines specifically for Bed and Breakfasts/Inns.

Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases, you can find the latest guidance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PABBI has created a page on our website to update guests traveling within PA.

THE BED & BREAKFAST INNS PROMISE

The Pennsylvania Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (PABBI) and health officals across the Commonwealth have requested that individual Bed & Breakfast/Inn owners and innkeepers make a set of voluntary commitments to their staff and guests constituting the "Pennsylvania Bed & Breakfast Inns Promise" for the COVID-19 recovery period.

When guests see "The Pennsylvania Bed & Breakfast Inns Promise," they know that the Bed & Breakfast/Inn has committed to taking appropriate action to protect their staff and guests and that they are taking a leadership role in protecting their community.

Learn more about "The Pennsylvania Bed & Breakfast Inns Promise" and download the B&B Promise to post on your website and at your property.

STATE & NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Numerous state and national associations are working diligently on behalf of the tourism industry. Additional resources can be found to help you during this public health crisis.

PA Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA) - Check frequently as daily updates are made as to what is happening in PA.

Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP)