Taylor Porter Attorneys Present BRAC Webinar: “Phase Two and the Hospitality Industry”

June 23, 2020

Governor Edwards Announces Louisiana to Remain in Phase Two

Click here to watch the webinar

Taylor Porter attorneys Katie Goodson and Erin Sayes Kenny served as panelists for a BRAC Business Webinar, “Phase Two and the Hospitality Industry,” which took place on Monday, June 22, 2020. The webinar was sponsored by Horizon Financial Group. 

On June 5, 2020, Louisiana entered Phase Two: Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana (the “Phase Two Order”), and yesterday, June 22, 2020,
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Louisiana will stay in Phase Two of reopening, as the number of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations have started to rise in several regions across the state. The Governor will extend his Phase Two order for another 28 days, keeping in place occupancy limits and other restrictions.

In Monday’s webinar, Goodson and Kenny discussed the Phase Two guidelines on restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, etc., and how those occupancy restrictions and limitations have affected their clients in the hospitality industry. 

“Occupancy restrictions have had a major impact on our clients and the hospitality industry,” said Goodson. “Unfortunately it’s been tough on our local hospitality industry as costs are going up, and occupancy has been limited through the state’s first two phases, and that’s hurting their bottom lines. But loyal customer bases and local support have really helped them continue to survive, and they need more of that support to sustain their operations through the various phases of reopenings.”

Kenny said businesses should “earmark the
OpenSafely.la.gov website because they’re starting to publish more specific guidance on what businesses need to do and the policies they need to put in place to reopen, and how to get approved to reopen.”

When Phase Two was announced, the Taylor Porter alcoholic beverage licensing and related enforcement issues practice team published an
article detailing the Phase Two guidelines by local jurisdictions.

The Taylor Porter 
Alcoholic Beverage Licensing and Related Enforcement Issues Practice Group continues to monitor the legal developments pertaining to COVID-19. Please let us know how we can help you navigate licensing and compliance issues during this unprecedented time.

About
Katie Goodson: Taylor Porter Special Counsel Katie Goodson represents business clients across various industries in land use, zoning and planning issues; alcoholic beverage licensing and related enforcement issues, regulated industries, and commercial litigation. Katie represents national and local companies in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and event production companies, with an emphasis in alcoholic beverage licensing, compliance and enforcement issues. She also represents alcohol manufacturers. She works with numerous regulatory and administrative bodies across the state, including the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, the Department of Revenue, Departments of Public Works, and Planning Commissions. Katie was selected by her peers in Best Lawyers in America® (2020) in Commercial Litigation.

About
Erin Sayes Kenny: Taylor Porter Partner Erin Sayes Kenny represents national and local companies in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels and retail stores, with an emphasis in alcoholic beverage licensing, compliance and enforcement issues. She is an active member of industry organizations, including the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals, and she represents Taylor Porter at annual conferences to connect with national industry leaders. She also maintains a varied state and federal civil litigation and appellate practice, with an emphasis in commercial and tort litigation, including insurance defense and insurance coverage cases. Erin is the first Baton Rouge lawyer to receive the honor of “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers,” bestowed by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

BRAC, a regional economic development organization that includes more than 1,500 investor members, has produced several webinars since COVID-19, and has relevant resources and information for businesses at: https://brac.org/recovery/

DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only. Information posted is not intended to be legal advice.

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