As businesses across the state brace for at least two more weeks of closures, the New York State Restaurant Association is urging the state to delay sales tax payments due this Friday.

“The state’s entire restaurant industry is in dire straits,” said Melissa Fleischut, the president and CEO of the NYS Restaurants Association.

On Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all bars and restaurants to close their doors to inside dining. They are allowed to still deliver food, but the loss of revenue will be staggering.

“During this uncertain time, these businesses still have obligations that must be met - such as payments to suppliers, rent and taxes - with little or no revenue coming in. We urge the state to push back the due date for sales tax payments to alleviate the financial burden on these businesses,” Fleischut said.

President Donald Trump also announced that the federal government, along with Congress, will be looking at possibly implementing business loans to help some of these businesses being affected by the coronavirus.