Gov. Cuomo extends street, sidewalk dining in New York City for another year

Gabriella Clare Marino/ unsplash

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law on Wednesday that temporarily extends a COVID-lockdown policy that allowed restaurants to set up business on city sidewalks and streets — a widespread practice that the Democrat described as a "much-needed lifeline" for restaurants.

Restaurant growth impacted NYC's urban environment dramatically, cutting parking space by around 8,500. Furthermore, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and Firefighters have created additional obstacles for pedestrians in terms of their space, their emergency, their waste, and the snow.

Likewise, there were incidents of injuring people when they were sitting outdoors by automobiles, gunshots, and even homeless people.

An executive order signed by the Governor allows municipal space such as sidewalks and streets for outdoor catering to extend for another year, allowing New Yorkers to enjoy meals without risking the spread of COVID-19 that is more easily transferred indoors. The law, effective immediately, extends for yet another year.

“As we build New York back better than it was before, it’s important that we learn from the past and capitalize on those efforts that helped so many of New York’s small businesses survive amid the global pandemic,” said Cuomo in a statement about the bill signing.

“By extending the much-needed lifeline that allowed restaurants to use outdoor public spaces for seating during the pandemic, New York is ensuring that these small businesses will be able to continue to use these spaces as they work to rebuild and support the revitalization of the Empire State.”

The CEO of the New York City Hospitality Alliance Andrew Regie welcomed the Green Light of Cuomo as the restaurant support measure.

“Outdoor dining has been a critical lifeline for the city’s restaurants, so enactment this new law will ensure customers can continue to enjoy their glass of wine while dining alfresco, all while supporting small businesses and jobs,” he said.

Patricia Fahy, the assembly member sponsoring the proposal, told The New York Post that she was "confident" that outdoor dining “will continue to be popular and continue to help revive downtowns and Main Streets across New York State.”

Fahy stated that next year when the new law expires she will "absolutely" try to make a comparable law.

The Governor, however, did not go on boozing since the emergency order allowing restaurants to serve drinks ended last month, even though the law was signed a victory for the restaurant business.

“Licensees please be advised that with the ending of our state of emergency and the return to pre-pandemic guidelines, the temporary pandemic-related privileges for to-go and delivery of alcoholic beverages will end after June 24,” the NYS Liquor Authority tweeted.

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