Partners

 

The Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (JCVB) is monitoring the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) through engagement with local and state health department officials as well the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to stay abreast of this rapidly evolving situation.

The JCVB continues to advocate on your behalf. The hospitality industry is significantly impacted by this unprecedented situation. We are working with local, state and national contacts and agencies to ensure our industry partners receive information on assistance as it becomes available.

In addition, we will continue to reach out to you regularly to stay updated on what businesses are open, changes in hours of operation, and services being provided so that we can continue to promote your businesses to our residents and visitors. 

Governor Edwards has requested Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance with the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance for the New Orleans area. Click here to see the attached regarding available SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, including links to apply for assistance. Click here for their website.

The LWC Rapid Response Unit is available for assistance concerning temporary or permanent layoffs due to Covid-19. Workers who are impacted by closures or reduced hours may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Please click here for information on how to qualify for support. You can contact André France at (225) 342-2918 or afrance@lwc.la.gov with your questions about this program. Due to the volume of questions coming in now, email is the best method to send questions. Click here for their website.

US Travel has secured real, immediate assistance for the travel workforce and businesses of all sizes across every segment. The Senate and House will passed the final phase 3 coronavirus bill, referred to as the CARES Act, but more work is needed to ensure that this relief – which is intended to be a bridge – is extended quickly and helps as many travel businesses as possible. Click HERE to see US Travel's summary of the bill and read the full bill HERE.

The health and safety of customers is the number one priority of every travel business. This shared viewpoint has brought sectors from across the industry together, working with health and medical experts, to reach a collective agreement on a core set of health and safety guidance that the industry may adapt to their businesses. When travel businesses, residents and travelers all do their part, Americans can Travel Confidently.

Download US Travel's Travel Confidently Toolkit HERE.

Our partners at Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF) are able to reopen the application process once again for the Hospitality Cares Funds. The program reached the $1.5 million benchmark, triggering the reopening of the fund’s crisis grants. Starting Friday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m., hospitality workers can apply online at UnitedWaySELA.org/HospitalityCares or call 211 to complete the application over the phone.

Louisiana Updates:

• On August 4, Gov. John Bel Edwards extended the state's current Phase 2 restrictions--including a ban on in-person consumption at bars and a statewide mask mandate--for three more weeks. It will be extended until August 28.
• On July 11, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a mandatory mask requirement for Louisiana and ordered bars in the state closed to on-premises consumption. Starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday, there will be three new restrictions across Louisiana to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. You can read the full proclamation HERE.
  - Everyone ages 8 and older must wear a mask or face covering outside of their home.
  - All bars will be closed unless providing curbside pickup.
  - Indoor social gatherings are limited to 50 people.
• On June 22nd, 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. Under the second phase, businesses like restaurants, retailers and other businesses that have been operating at 25% capacity for the past two weeks can up their capacity to 50%. Bars can operate at 25% capacity of seated occupants, according to Edwards, the first time bars without food permits have been allowed to operate since mid-March. Casinos can go to 50% capacity with 75% of gaming positions operating if they get plans approved by the Gaming Control Board. The second phase also allows pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas to reopen with additional restrictions. Learn more HERE.

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Jefferson Parish Updates:

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng issued an emergency proclamation on Monday, June 29th. The public is required to wear masks inside all businesses and public places within Jefferson Parish. The order will begin on Wednesday, July 1st, and has no end date. For updates on Jefferson Parish's response to the coronavirus situation and more, visit their COVID-19 Dashboard HERE

People in Jefferson Parish must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk situations listed below:

- Masks are required inside any indoor public space, including but not limited to restaurants, retail, spas and places of worship.
- Masks are required upon entering and exiting a restaurant or bar but not while sitting at a table.
- Masks are required upon entering and exiting a gym but not while exercising.
- Masks are required in any room or enclosed area where other people are present and unable to physically distance.
- Masks are required while walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.

The following individuals are exempt from wearing a mask or face covering:

- Children younger than two years old.
- Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.
- This order also excludes schools, summer camps and daycares, as they should follow guidance set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education. Click HERE for guidance for childcare and summer schools from the Department of Health. Click HERE for school reopening guidelines and resources from the Department of Education.

Masks are required while riding on public transportation or paratransit.

The Jefferson Parish Government is dedicated to assisting our business owners with best practices and outreach. The COVID Compliance – See It, Say It Form has been activated for you to report all your concerns with local businesses. They will collect your complaints and work with our partner agencies to have them addressed.

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 Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn has issued a proclamation making it mandatory that masks be worn inside all commercial and public buildings.

The emergency proclamation includes the following exemptions:

- Children under the age of 2
- Anyone with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that limits their ability to wear a mask
- People who are hearing impaired or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired
- Anyone who would face a work-related risk by wearing a mask on the job
- Anyone obtaining a service involving the nose or face that would require the temporary removal of the mask

Gretna will join unincorporated Jefferson Parish and the city of Kenner in requiring people to wear masks when inside commercial and public buildings. The mask mandate will go into effect on Wednesday on July 15th.

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Additional Resources:

White House Opening Up America Again Guidelines

Office of Governor John Bel Edwards

Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers

Jefferson Back to Business Plan

Open Safely Business Registration

State Fire Marshal Phase I Compliance Guidelines

MSY Travel Ready

Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide

National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) 

International Caterers Association  

Unemployment Support for Employers & Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Update

United Way of Southeast Louisiana Hospital Cares Pandemic Response Fund

Families First Coronavirus Response Act:Employer Expanded Family and Medical Leave Requirements

WorkNOLA Job Openings during COVID-19 Event

Facebook Grant for Small Businesses

COVID-19 Tax Relief

Florida Atlantic University Offers Help to Workers Struggling During Coronavirus Pandemic

ARC is offering 3D printed PPE and can discount bulk orders.

Restaurant / Food Service Outdoor Seating Criteria.

Rally around S. 4150, the CERTS Act #RestartTheBus

The team at the JCVB has received a few questions from our many restaurateurs. We reached out to the Louisiana Restaurant Association for some answers below:

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The Jefferson CVB is a proud partner in tourism supporting the economic growth of Jefferson Parish and the surrounding parishes. The Louisiana Office of Tourism 2018 economic impact ranked Jefferson Parish 2nd in the state for visitor spending with a reported $1.9 billion!  Tourism garnered $200 million in state and local tax revenue for Jefferson Parish and Louisiana. The Jefferson Parish tourism and hospitality industry employs over 26,000 people in our parish helping to provide a better quality of life for these employees and their families. The JCVB supports the members of our organization as they work to enhance the economic development of our parish. 

Your Jefferson CVB Membership...
The JCVB is comprised of a diverse membership promoting the arts, entertainment, culture, cuisine, heritage, traditions, professional services & products of our region. You are a valued member contributing to the growth of this region through the tourism industry. Whether you are a hotel, attraction, restaurant, transportation company, or business resource organization such as printing or PR, the JCVB wants to hear from you!  We want your feedback, your ideas, your partnership! The JCVB welcomes your questions and comments. Feel free to contact the JCVB office at 504-731-7083. Click here for an application and see all of our member benefits here. If you are a hotel, please contact the office directly for benefits.

The JCVB is pleased to provide its members with detailed reports on Marketing, Sales, and Communications. To view the 2019 Marketing Plan, Annual Reports or the Convention & Group Calendar, enter your unique member login and password to access the Extranet.

Tourism by the Numbers
The Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau is the parish’s only accredited tourism marketing team focused on bringing visitors and visitor spending to Jefferson Parish. Here is a glance at the tourism impact on Jefferson in 2018: