March 20, 2020
Dear Hospitality Community:
We want to continue to update you on our coordinated efforts with city and state leaders, as well as hospitality partners, on our COVID-19 response. We appreciate your feedback these past few days. Keep it coming. As we continue to take measures throughout the city to flatten the curve, we want to assure you we are in close contact with the government leaders and public health officials so that we can provide you with up-to-date and accurate information. Please be aware that there are rumors spreading online and through social media that are not true regarding such things as needing to hoard cash, gas, and groceries, as well as inaccuracies in local relief efforts. The supply chains for food and other necessities are strong and healthy in Tennessee. We are extremely disappointed to hear about instances of price gouging, like overcharging on necessary supplies, parking, and medical supplies. Please let us know if you encounter this, and we will try to make an impact.
Please feel free to share this letter with your employees and encourage them to use our website, visitmusiccity.com/covid-19-information, for information. We want to be a source of factual, helpful information.
WHAT’S NEW:
- Mayor Cooper has released new guidance for all restaurants to stop in-dining service and move to a take-out/delivery model only.
- All bars and gyms are closed in Davidson County.
- The city is encouraging streaming and social distancing for religious services this weekend.
- The NCVC and the Tennessee Hospitality Assoc. have sent a letter to Gov. Lee asking for a Sales Tax delay for two months so that money can be used for payroll. We will keep you informed.
- We are working closely with the U.S. Travel Association to support the Trillion Dollar federal relief bill currently going through Congress to make sure our industry is included across all sectors.
- Discussion is underway regarding the closing of all non-essential retail. (This does not include grocery, pharmacy, or medical supply stores and stores like Target and Walmart who sell both grocery and pharmacy supplies.)
Please tune in to the Mayor’s daily press conference at 9:30am on local TV or view after the fact on the Metro Nashville Network
YouTube or
Facebook page.
A FEW REMINDERS:
Utilities:
*Utilities will not be disconnecting service through the end of May and are offering relief with payment plans.*
- Metro Water Services has suspended cut-offs and will waive late fees.
- NES has suspended all disconnects, including disconnects for nonpayment into April.
- Eviction notices in Davidson County are suspended this week and until further notice.
- Piedmont Gas has suspended all disconnects.
- Comcast is allowing postponement of payment.
Resources & Jobs Information:
We know people are hurting and we continue to list available jobs for you to share. Many grocery chains and delivery services are hiring. We are working to keep it as up to date as possible.
View job listings.We have also compiled a list of resources that you and your employees may find helpful during this time, including how to apply for unemployment benefits.
Get employment resources.Mayor Cooper’s COVID-19 Response Fund:
Work continues on the
COVID-19 Response Fund. Information for individuals can be found at
https://www.nashvilleresponsefund.com/individuals.
Please encourage people to donate – large and small donations make a difference.
We are actively working to make sure individuals from the hospitality industry impacted by closures and other business restrictions get relief through this fund.
The Fund is being administered by United Way of Greater Nashville. Please check the website, call 211, or reach out to United Way for more information. The Advisory Committee is chaired by Sen. Bill Frist, MD. Our industry is well represented by Rob Mortenson, President/CEO, Tennessee Hospitality Association; Benjamin Goldberg, Founder and Co-owner, Strategic Hospitality; Maneet Chauhan and Vivek Deora, Founders and Partners of Morph Hospitality; as well as myself.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Response Fund at nashvilleresponsefund.com.
COVID-19 Community Assessment System
We have been working with the city to set up a COVID-19 assessment system that includes a hotline and six assessment center sites strategically located around county to provide access to all of Nashville. We are waiting on supplies from the state and federal government so that we can launch these appropriately. Assessments at one site have begun. We want to assure a smooth rollout before opening other locations.
Stay up to date with Metro’s COVID-19 response at covid19.nashville.gov.
Lastly, if you are working with meeting planners or group clients – please work to just be kind. Now is NOT the time to sell. It’s time to check in on them. Ask them how they are and how their families are holding up. Listen. Share our webpages that list virtual concerts from Nashville artists and attractions offering virtual experiences – but don’t sell. This is the right thing to do.
I will be reaching out again soon. I hope you find all of this information helpful. Please share it with anyone in need. Stay safe and stay healthy. #NashvilleStrong
Sincerely,
Butch Spyridon
President and CEO
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
