Boston’s popular outdoor dining program will return April 1, Mayor Marty Walsh says.
As Spring approaches and COVID-19 cases continue to stabilize in Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh announced the city would be bringing back it’s popular outdoor dining program.
“We do have some good news as spring approaches,” said Walsh during Monday’s press conference. “Outdoor dining was a bright spot last summer and fall here in the city of Boston. We worked together to create safe and accessible conditions on both public health and private spaces. The program brought much-needed viability to our streets and small businesses … We are bringing it back for 2021 starting on April 1, or as soon as the weather permits.”
The mayor added the city would be waving the fee for restauranteurs who wish to apply to the program. City officials will also be carrying out targeted outreach for underrepresented businesses and communities. In addition, the City of Boston will also be restricting parking in certain neighborhoods and closing down select streets once again to make space for outdoor dining. More details on specific street closures will be released in the coming weeks, according to Walsh.
During Monday’s briefing, Walsh also announced Boston would be moving forward in its phased reopening along with the rest of the state, albeit with certain restrictions. Boston is opening its restaurants and bars up without capacity caps according to the state’s reopening plan; however, indoor performance centers will remain closed until at least March 22 and musical performances in restaurants and bars will not be allowed either until then.
Mayor Walsh also issued further guidance to the city’s bars and restaurants for Saint Patrick’s Day and urged residents to refrain from organizing large gatherings.
“There should be no alcohol without food service … and we won’t allow lines outside restaurants,” Walsh said. “Hopefully a year from now on Saint Patrick’s Day there will be no rules or regulations in place and we’ll all be able to have the fun we want to have.”
See also: Igloos, Greenhouses & Fire Pits: 8 Cozy Winter Spots For Outdoor Dining In Boston
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