PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Summer 2020

4 •  PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters  •  Summer 2020 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK IN LIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR’S July 15 order reducing indoor dining operations to 25% of occupancy, as well as announcements in Allegheny County and Philadelphia that placed additional restrictions on the restaurant industry, this summer has been extraordinarily challenging for our industry. “Keep your eyes on the prize” is a folk song that became influential during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. Loosely translated it means that you should focus on achieving a positive end result and not get distracted from your final goal. We are in a battle of epic proportions which includes saving lives, saving jobs, saving businesses, and ultimately putting an end to COVID-19. The prizes are clear but the most basic for many reading this article is keeping their businesses open. Our goal in this summer issue is to continue to provide you with additional resources and information on ways to keep your businesses open and safe for employees and guests. Peter Romero, editor-in-chief of Restaurant Business, takes a look at six questions keeping operators, like yourself, up at night. Our partners at Ecolab take a look at the how the pandemic is shaping cleaning and sanitation protocols for hotel housekeeping departments. And, in part one of a two-part series, thought leaders Tim Hand and Bruce Reinstein look further into the impact of the coronavirus on the foodservice industry, particularly what’s working for operators and what will become part of our new normal. Throughout the crisis, PRLA has worked to ensure accurate information was disseminated to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and hotels as well as trying to connect employees and business with resources to survive. We pledge to continue this work. Our goal has been and continues to be to try to get as many of you through these difficult times as possible. In the meantime, it’s up to every restaurant, bar, hotel, caterer, and foodservice operator to follow the standards, especially mask wearing and physical distancing. There is no longer any question that those are the two most important things to prevent the spread of coronavirus, keep people alive, and keep businesses afloat. Keep your eyes on the prize. • John Longstreet PRLA PRESIDENT & CEO Keep Your Eyes on the Prize We are in a battle of epic proportions which includes saving lives, saving jobs, saving businesses, and ultimately putting an end to COVID-19.