NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The New York City Council on Thursday voted to extend outdoor dining through 2021 — a day after Mayor Bill de Blasio gave restaurants the OK to use heaters in their outdoor dining spaces.
The mayor signed an executive order Wednesday authorizing the use of temporary heaters to extend outdoor dining into the winter months amid the pandemic.
On Thursday afternoon, City Council members voted to extend the city's outdoor dining program and make it permanent, Council Speaker Corey Johnson confirmed.
BREAKING: The @NYCCouncil just voted to extend the outdoor dining program through next year + to allow restaurants to use portable electric and propane heaters for outdoor dining in these upcoming colder months. We are also going to make this a permanent program.
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) October 15, 2020
"These guidelines are designed to keep diners, employees, and pedestrians safe and healthy – and we look forward to giving New Yorkers more chances than ever to enjoy the outdoors year-round," de Blasio said in a statement. "Restaurants make New York City the greatest city in the world, and we're proud to support their continued recovery from this crisis."
#NEWS: Today @NYCMayor signed Emergency Executive Order 153, authorizing #OpenRestaurants establishments to utilize outdoor heaters in their #OutdoorDining areas. #Heaters pic.twitter.com/oWyA82k3VI
— Counsel to the Mayor of NYC (@NYCMayorCounsel) October 14, 2020
Businesses that take part in the Open Restaurants program—more than 10,500 establishments—can use electric radiant heaters, natural gas radiant heaters and portable heaters fueled by propane, de Blasio said.
Restaurants' use of the heaters will be monitored by the Department of Buildings, Department of Transportation and the FDNY.
Pastis restaurant prepares electric heaters for their al fresco dining in the Meatpacking District of New York on Thursday, October 8, 2020.Richard B. Levine
Restaurants recently got the green light to use 25% of their tables for indoor dining, but owners have said that won't be enough to stay afloat.
Participants in the Open Restaurants program interested in providing comfort heating for their customers in outdoor dining areas have three options:
• Electric radiant heaters will be allowed in sidewalk and roadway seating setups. For full guidance from the Department of Buildings, click here.
• Natural gas radiant heaters will be allowed on the sidewalk only. For full guidance from the Department of Buildings, click here. Natural gas radiant heaters must also comply with the Fire Code.
• Portable heaters fueled by propane will be allowed on the sidewalk only. Propane heating will be regulated by the Fire Department, with requirements for safe handling, use and storage. For full guidance from the Fire Department, click here.
