[Ed note: This article was updated on April 2 to reflect the fact that the state has approved the extension of the temporary outdoor dining program.]
The expanded outdoor patio season for Boston restaurants is right around the corner, though one issue needs to be resolved.
According to a restaurant owner who we talked with this evening, the state has apparently not yet approved of variances needed to allow Boston restaurants to have temporary patios, as the program that has been in place for it in 2020 and 2021 is about to expire. Because of this, restaurants and bars within the city cannot have temporary patios set up in place until state legislation approves the extension that would allow for one more year of temporary outdoor dining. A media source confirms this, saying that the state is in the process of finalizing the extension and that final approvals from the city of Boston will be issued upon state approval. A page within the city's website gives a bit more information on this, saying the following:
On April 1, 2022, the Governor's extension of the COVID-19 Order No. 50 will be lifted. This order relaxed restrictions in the outdoor dining process during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021. For the 2022 temporary, the City is seeking variances from the state to extend the temporary program for another year.
As reported earlier, April 1 is the opening day for expanded restaurant patios in Boston except for the North End, which will begin on May 1.
[April 2 update: A tweet from Governor Charlie Baker indicates that the state has given its approval for temporary outdoor dining to continue through 2022.]
[Earlier Article]
Expanded Outdoor Dining to Resume in Boston (Except The North End) Starting April 1
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
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