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BOSTON
- Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the
outdoor dining season in the City of Boston will be extended past the
original closure date of October 31 to better support restaurants during
the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. This extension applies to
outdoor dining on both public and private property.
The
Licensing Board, together with the Boston Fire Department, Inspectional
Services Department, Boston Transportation Department, Public Improvement
Commission, Department of Public Works, Office of Economic Development, and
the Mayor's Office of of Neighborhood Services have extended the Temporary
Outdoor Dining Program on private property (i.e. outdoor dining spaces that
do not extend onto public sidewalks and parking lanes) for the duration of
the ongoing COVID-19 related public health emergency.
Restaurants
utilizing the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program on public sidewalks and
parking lanes may continue the approved use of those spaces until December
1, 2020, weather permitting or until further notice or until the Board
issues further guidance. Requests for further extensions of this use shall
be considered on a case by case basis in the coming weeks and months. In
addition, application fees will be waived for businesses that apply
for outdoor propane heaters. The full
guidance from the Boston Licensing Board is available online.
"Restaurants
in our neighborhoods represent our culture, community, and
innovation," said Mayor Walsh. "Restaurants have faced incredible
challenges during this ongoing public health crisis, and the City of Boston
is committed to helping them survive and succeed, including by giving
restaurants more flexibility around outdoor dining."
This
announcement builds on the work the Walsh Administration has undertaken to
support small businesses during the City's COVID-19 response. On May 21st,
the City of Boston announced
new measures to help restaurants during the ongoing public health
crisis, including expanding outdoor seating, and waiving fees for outdoor
space. To date, the Office of Economic Development's Small
Business Relief Fund has awarded $6.7 million to businesses in need.
The businesses receiving grants represent industries most-impacted by
closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the COVID-19
pandemic throughout every neighborhood in Boston. The Reopen
Boston Fund, launched in May 2020, continues to offer grants to
Boston's businesses of up to $2,000 to assist with reopening costs,
including for PPE. More than 1,200 businesses have received direct grants
from the Reopen Boston Fund to date, with more than $2.1 million
distributed.
To
further assist the City's small businesses, the City of Boston created
a platform to help businesses source the personal protective
equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies they will be required to have
available in order to ensure the safety of employees and customers as industries
begin to reopen. Along with industry-specific reopening requirements, the
page includes a list of self-identified, local suppliers of PPE and
cleaning supplies, information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' vendor
database, and partner organizations helping to connect businesses with
vendors.
In
addition, in July Mayor Walsh announced a new
ramp initiative to increase accessibility to outdoor dining amidst the
COVID-19 public health emergency. Restaurants that have been granted a
temporary license to have seating in a parking space or on the street are
eligible to request a portable ramp.
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