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March 25, 2020
CONGRESS/WHITE HOUSE NEGOTIATORS STRIKE DEAL ON CORONAVIRUS RESCUE PACKAGE
Senate leaders and the Trump administration reached a bipartisan agreement late last night (March 24) on a recovery bill, with votes expected in the Senate (and possibly the House) today (March 25.) The text of the agreement has not been released formally. We believe it will be out around 10:00am ET. As a result, we do not have guidance for you yet on the substance or its impact on the industry. CLICK HERE FOR THE SUMMARY OF ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE BILL
US TRAVEL ASSOCIATION WEEKLY UPDATE
Federal & Legislative Updates, Domestic & International Updates, Industry & Resources and Examples, Headlines, and More.
CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATE
LONGWOODS STUDY SHOWS DRAMATIC ONE-WEEK INCREASE
OF COVID-19 IMPACT ON TRAVEL BY AMERICANS
According to a Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers and the coronavirus pandemic released on March 24, 2020, 75% of them are changing their travel plans for the next six months because of coronavirus, up from 58% a week ago. When these travelers were asked how they will change their plans because of the pandemic, there is a sharp shift to canceling travel versus other options like reducing travel, changing destinations, or changing mode of travel: 48% said they would cancel some trips, up from 28% a week ago. 39% said they will reduce travel in the next six months, similar to what we saw a week ago (36%). Changing trips from international to domestic and from air travel to auto travel continue to occur, but were less frequent than the week prior.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LONGWOODS STUDY
US DEPT. OF LABOR ISSUES PRELIMINARY GUIDELINES REGARDING FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
As expected, the U.S. Department of Labor just issued some preliminary guidance, in the form of Questions and Answers, in advance of the implementing regulations on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act(FFCRA) a/k/a COVID-2, which takes effect April 1. To access please click on the link below. The Department advises that they will continue to provide compliance assistance to employers and employees on their responsibilities and rights under the FFCRA, and we will be sure to keep you updated as that information is made available.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRELIMINARY GUIDELINES
Also, the Department is hosting a creative opportunity for public input via a national online dialogue to provide employers and employees an innovative way to offer their perspective as the Department develops compliance assistance materials and outreach strategies related to the implementation of FFCRA. The ideas and comments gathered from this dialogue will inform compliance assistance guidance, resources, and tools, as well as outreach approaches, that assist employers and employees in understanding their responsibilities and rights under the FFCRA. The deadline for input is March 29, 2020. Anybody who is interested can participate online at https://ffcra.ideascale.com now through March 29, 2020.
TN DEPT. OF REVENUE ISSUES COVID-19 FRANCHISE & EXCISE TAX FILING EXTENSION INFORMATION
On March 20, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service announced a federal income tax extension. Under Tennessee law, the Commissioner is authorized to extend the deadline for filing a return whenever the IRS extends a federal filing date.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue has extended the due date for filing and paying franchise and excise tax from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CLOSURE
Park officials have announced that all park areas, except the Foothills Parkway and the Spur, will close at noon on Tuesday, March 24 through Monday, April 6, in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, VISIT
WWW.HOSPITALITYTN.COM/COVID-19-UPDATE