Operational Tools

This page contains the following information:

Business Resources

CARES Act
Paycheck Protection Program
Additional Financial Relief Opportunities
CMBS Lending
Additional Resource Pages

Facilities Resources

Reopening Information
Cleaning & Disinfecting Measures
Brand Specific Information
Personal Preventative Information

Business Resources

Federal Relief Information

Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act

Paycheck Protection Program

A key provision of the federal economic relief legislation known as the CARES Act is a government-backed forgivable loan program called Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Businesses can apply through any existing SBA lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union that is participating. It is highly recommended that businesses consult with their local lenders. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower.

Paycheck Protection Program Application

PPP Information for Borrowers - U.S. Treasury Department

Treasury PPP FAQ - As of May 13, 2020

Note: Some individual banks have cautioned additional rules from Treasury and the Small Business Administration are necessary for them to process loans.

The amount of funds available are limited. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov.

Special note: CMBS borrowers need to review provisions of their loan agreements regarding the impacts of additional indebtedness. OHLA is advocating for state and federal guidance to provide flexibility in CBMS lending, but those steps have not been taken yet.

Additional Financial Relief Options

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Online Application

The application process was recently greatly improved and streamlined. Businesses who have used the new online process this week have reported that it only takes minutes to complete and allows you to enter your routing and account information for direct deposit of emergency funds. An initial $10,000 emergency grant is expected to be processed in days, not weeks. Like all the federal programs, the EIDL money is limited, so businesses who have not done so are encouraged to apply today.

Small Business Debt Relief

Will directly support through non-disaster SBA loans including 7(a), 504 and microloan programs. SBA will cover all loan payments including principal, interest and fees for six months. See these pages for more information:

Employee Retention Payroll Tax Credit
Fully refundable credit for employers of up to $5,000 per employee equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses). It applies to wages paid between 3/12/20 and 12/31/20. Employers will report their total qualified wages and the related credits for each calendar quarter on their federal employment tax returns (usually Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Form 941 is used to report income and social security and Medicare taxes withheld by the employer from employee wages, as well as the employer’s portion of social security and Medicare tax.) For more information see the IRS webpage.

Delay in payroll taxes

All employers and self-employed individuals may defer payroll tax payments over the next two years, with half due by 12/31/21 and the second half due 12/31/22. But this provision does not apply to businesses who receive one of the loans available under the CARES Act.

Insurance payment deferrals

The Ohio Department of Insurance has issued official Bulletins requiring insurance carriers to allow the deferral of premium payments. Bulletin 2020-03 requires health plan insurers to give employers the option of deferring premium payments interest free for up to 60 calendar days from each original due date. Bulletin 2020-07 requires property and casualty, life, and long term care insurance companies to provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay premiums. The Orders on deferral are in effect until the state of emergency declared by the Governor is lifted.

Workers’ Compensation Deferral

Ohio BWC has deferred workers comp premium installment payments due for March, April and May until June 1, 2020. BWC will not cancel coverage or assess penalties for amounts not paid because of COVID-19. Safety education and training requirements for the policy year ending June 30 will be waived for employers participating in the Drug-Free Safety Program, EM Cap Program, Grow Ohio, Industry Specific Safety Program, One Claim Program and Policy Activity Rebate Program. The relevant premium discounts will be applied automatically.

Employers can defray the costs of paid sick leave required under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act with tax credits. The IRS has provided initial guidance regarding what information employers need from an employee in order to substantiate eligibility for the tax credits. Important information for employers about COVID-19 sick leave and tax credits is available here.

Commercial Borrowers & CBMS Lending

OHLA partners help with CMBS negotiations, pre-foreclosure actions

September 11 - Columbus - Recent data from securities and investment analytics firm Trepp, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and other sources provide a candid prognosis on the hotel & lodging industry. While business recovers at a faster pace in other areas of the economy, it is now recognized that our industry will feel the effects of a long-duration event well into 2021 and beyond.

While working every day for the ability of hotel & lodging properties to accept more business, host larger and different types of events, and access more financial assistance and resources than have been made available to date, we also recognize that many of our businesses need help in fighting to get over the bridge into the period in 2021 when we will see revenues increase to beyond sustainability levels.

That is why two of our most important initiatives are focused on providing owner and operators assistance in securing reasonable modifications to CMBS loans, and in connecting members with legal counsel specializing in pre-foreclosure actions.

Help on CMBS

OHLA Allied Member Segar Consulting brings national level expertise coupled with on-the-ground support to help you with difficult CMBS servicer situations and delinquencies. They have proven results, and will meet with any hotel owner or management company in person, online, or by phone.

To set up a conversation with the experts at Segar, email joe@ohla.org or call 614-832-7872.

Questions about Pre-Foreclosure?

Many companies will need to consider their positions regarding one hotel with a view to protecting an entire portfolio. OHLA has relationships with legal partners specializing in this area who can help manage the process to protect your interests but preserve long-term relationships, future financing opportunities, and other important aspects of your day-to-day business.

Our bench of legal partners include firms in different parts of the state and with national level expertise. The reality behind the statistics is that some foreclosure activity will be a reality. OHLA has partners that can help.

To discuss, contact Joe Savarise, OHLA Executive Director, joe@ohla.org.

State of Ohio Executive Order Regarding CMBS

The State of Ohio has adopted Executive Order 2020-08D which is intended to provide relief from commercial evictions and foreclosures. The order does the following:

- requests landlords to suspend rent payments for small business commercial tenants facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 for at least 90 days

-requests moratorium of evictions of small business commercial tenants for at least 90 days

-requests lenders provide commercial real estate borrows an opportunity for forbearance of a term of at least 90 days

While the Order does not require forbearance, it is a useful element in discussion with many commercial lenders. OHLA continues to work on the issue of lending relief and CMBS loans, which require more specific guidance from regulators in order to assist borrowers. OHLA has provided specific asks to both state and federal officials on the issue of CMBS loans, including giving Master Servicers the latitude they need to work with borrowers, and ensuring that accessing federal aid in the wake of the COVID-19 disaster does not trigger resource provisions in non-recourse loans.

CMBS lenders should note there is an existing provision in Ohio law which offers them protection from resource provisions.

Under the provisions of Ohio Revised Code Section 1319.08 so-called “bad boy” or “Cherryland” carveout provisions in CMBS agreements cannot be interpreted to include the mere insolvency of the commercial project when the property’s financial problems were due to the bad economy and real estate downturn as something that allows the lender to seek full recourse against the borrower and guarantors.

For more information about CMBS and non-recourse loans in the current economic environment, see these resources:

Alert on Non Recourse Carveouts in A Down Economy (from Bellwether Enterprise)

CMBS Borrower’s Quick Guide for Communicating with Your Servicer

Quick Answer Resource Documents

Small Business Debt Relief Program FAQ - Allied Member WVC Rubix Cloud

Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants FAQ

- Allied Member WVC Rubix Cloud

Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loans FAQ

- Allied Member WVC Rubix Cloud

U.S. Dept. of Labor Wage and Hour Division Fact Sheet on COVID – Updated Jan. 2022

Feedback or Questions?

If you have questions about the federal relief programs or comments about your experiences about applying for economic assistance, you can share those via our online system.

Facilities Resources

Important Note for Hotel & Lodging Environments

It is critical for cleaning and maintenance procedures to be strictly followed to help prevent the spread of all illnesses. Staff who are sick or have been at high risk of exposure should remain isolated at home. Employees must inform employers if they develop any symptoms.

The risk of hotel guests who may be infected staying in a particular hotel is currently extremely low. Information is available to provide guests to help them avoid spreading the virus.

Housekeeping & maintenance teams should avoid close contact with guests who have self-isolated. They should wear gloves while cleaning, and use alcohol hand rub before and after wearing gloves.

Before entering the room, cleaning staff may inquire if people are well, and ask them to put on a surgical mask, if available. If a guest develops symptoms, they should remain isolated and the hotel should notify their public health agency.

Do not consider people of Asian decent more likely to have COVID-19. This is a worldwide problem.

Informational OHLA Resource Pages for Hotel & Lodging Employees & Associates


Downloadable information page: for hotels	Downloadable information page: for Guests

Reopening Resources

Fisher Phillips - OHLA Allied Member

OHLA partner Fisher Phillips continues to provide useful resources, including the new resource Post-Pandemic Back-To-Business FAQs For Employers.

AHLA and Cozen O'Connor

Cozen O’Conner recently presented a webinar to American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) members on Planning Now for the Return to Occupancy. They have produced a resource document with more than 30 considerations for the back-to-business phases being contemplated in Ohio and most states. You can download After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Planning Now for The Return to Occupancy here.

Frequently asked questions from the AHLA Webinar can be found here.

Dept. of Health and EPA Issue Advisories on Water Systems

While hotel & lodging businesses were recognized as essential businesses and not subject to closure by the state Orders on COVID-19, a substantial portion of our businesses did have to suspend operations for business and economic reasons. Any property with an interruption in service is reminded that critical steps must be taken to ensure water safety.

The Ohio Department of Health and Ohio EPA have issued Recommendations for Water Supply Flushing for Reopening of Buildings Under Statewide COVID-19 Transition Plan.

Cleaning & Sanitization Resources

Petra Plus Process Recommendation Resources

Petra Risk Solutions has provided us recommendations regarding ill hotel guests, temporary use as a healthcare facility, & hotel closing procedures for both full and limited service properties.

Recommendations for Managing the COVID-19 Business and Government Actions

Closed Hotel Operations Recommendations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cleaning Resources

List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Federal guidance to reduce the impact of COVID-19 outbreak conditions on businesses, workers, customers, and the public by helping employers to plan now specific actions to respond to COVID-19. Includes steps all employers can take, and information about low, medium and high exposure risk jobs. Download the guide here.

OHLA Allied Members Cleaning & Disinfection Recommended Procedures

Procter & Gamble

Our partners at P&G suggest following the disinfection procedures to keep you and those around you safe during this coronavirus outbreak.

Address the Threat: 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disinfection Procedures.

Advantage Equipment

Our partners at Advantage Equipment have provided us best practices for laundry and laundromat services in response to COVID-19. Each area that processes using commercial laundry equipment may need to address the growing Coronavirus concern in different manners. Check out the latest information on their resource page.

CINTAS

Our partners at CINTAS recently launch their Sprayer Disinfecting and Sanitizing Service to help put customers & employees at ease. These on-site services consist of the application of a disinfectant that
kills germs, bacteria and viruses on identified common surfaces and touchpoints, or the application of a
sanitizer that may be applied to food contact surfaces and that substantially reduces certain bacteria on
identified common surfaces and touchpoints.

They also suggest to review your current First Aid & Safety programs to understand what you may need on hand, what services you would like to begin and ways to keep your employees certifications or skills assessments up to date. See More Information here.

Ecolab Logo4 Color

Infection Prevention, Cleaning, Disinfection and Hygine

COVID-19 Cleaning & Disinfecting Guidance for Hospitality

Brand Specific Cleaning Information

On March 10, 2020 out of Bethesda, MD - Marriott International Issued a statement on Cleaning Protocols for their properties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the safety knowledge for associates and guests and proper products to be used. See the complete statement here.

MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton announced a new program to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection in Hilton properties around the world. In a first for the hospitality business, Hilton will collaborate with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and consult with Mayo Clinic to develop elevated processes and Team Member training to help Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay from check-in to check-out.

Hilton Clean Stay Infographic

Personal Prevention Measures

What is COVID-19?

A virus is a microscopic biological agent that reproduces inside the cells of a living host. Coronaviruses can cause illness similar to common colds, or much more serious diseases. The COVID-19 virus is a new, respiratory illness that can spread from person-to-person. As of Mar. 1, it impacted people in 50 countries. On that day, there were 71 confirmed cases in the U.S., compared to 79,828 in China, 3,736 in South Korea, 1,694 in Italy and 978 in Iran.

Coronavirus is a serious situation, but businesses should also note that according to the Centers for Disease Control, as of Feb. 1, 2020, more than 22 million Americans had been infected with seasonal flu, and 12,000 adults and 78 children have died in the flu season beginning in October.

Click image for full PDF.

CDC Resource Pages - Click image to see full page.

Important Resource Guides

COVID-19 Prevention & Preparedness Resource Guidebook

The American Hotel & Lodging Association has prepared a comprehensive guide to COVID-19, with information on understanding and recognizing disease; employee safety, decontamination, communication suggestions and more. You can download the guidebook here.

Employer’s Guide to Coronavirus/COVID-19

As an employer, you have specific concerns and considerations regarding the potential outbreak of COVID-19. Workplace safety issues are at the forefront of information shared by OHLA and its partners. This detailed guide will help you understand the employer’s role and will answer some of the most frequently asked employer questions about coronavirus. Provided courtesy of OHLA Allied Member Fisher Phillips LLP.