Biden’s COVID-19 Plan Orders National Guidance For Small Businesses

President Joe Biden’s White House on Thursday published the “National Strategy For The COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness,” which has heavy implications for restaurants, small businesses and franchisors of all types. 

While the document makes few specific recommendations, one thing is clear: Sweeping new federal guidelines could be just around the corner. 

What’s Biden’s COVID-19 Strategy?

Broadly, the plan calls for an aggressive approach to vaccinations, improving access to PPE and other critical supplies and using COVID-19 relief funds to keep businesses afloat during lockdowns.

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“The United States will immediately work to prioritize funds under the recent COVID relief package to the companies hardest hit by COVID-19 and in compliance with public health restrictions, ensuring that small businesses have the funds they need to operate safely,” the plan stated. 

But, expect to hear from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), too. “The Small Business Administration will work with the Department of Labor to disseminate updated OSHA guidance on worker safety and support businesses in implementing the updated guidance,” the plan stated.  

Masks Required? 

More than just providing funding, the plan aims to produce guidelines for businesses. Passages of the plan make it clear that the White House may require some workers to wear masks. In a reference to Biden’s executive order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, the plan said the White House will “consider whether emergency temporary standards, including with respect to mask-wearing, are necessary.”

Biden has already issued a national mask mandate, which requires people on public transport and in federal buildings to wear masks. 

Evidence-Based Lockdowns?

Biden’s plan references “evidence-based” COVID-19 guidelines a total of 13 times. While it’s unclear what evidence the administration will admit, this could be good news for restaurants.

The National Restaurant Association has long chided public officials for ordering restaurants closed or at reduced capacity, saying that the evidence supports reopening dining spaces. Overall, the restaurant industry has contracted 17% since the start of the pandemic.