The US National Retail Federation (NRF) welcomed legislation introduced recently that would give businesses a tax credit intended to help defer the cost of employee testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning and other steps needed to make workplaces safe during the novel coronavirus pandemic. NRF worked with members of the Ways and Means Committee to seek introduction of the bill.
“Consumer-facing businesses are confronting considerable new costs to make their locations safe for their customers and employees,” NRF senior vice president for government relations David French said in a statement.The US National Retail Federation (NRF) welcomed legislation that would give businesses a tax credit aimed at helping defer the cost of employee testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning and other steps needed to make workplaces safe during the pandemic. NRF worked with members of the Ways and Means Committee to seek introduction of the bill.#
“This tax credit addresses many of those new expenses, including the costs of reconfiguring stores and restaurants to provide more social distancing, and ongoing costs for protective gear and cleaning. A tax credit is particularly helpful for businesses that are facing reduced sales after months of being closed and are encountering these costs as they take the steps necessary to assure their customers that it is safe to return,” he added.
Some mid-size retailers have reported that the cost of safety measures can be as high as $1 million a week. Face masks alone can cost $1 per employee per day, or $30,000 a day for a 30,000-employee retailer.
Safety is a key issue as retailers reopen from the ongoing pandemic, and NRF this week called on all retailers to adopt a nationwide policy requiring customers to wear face coverings or masks.
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