Pols want to make Open Restaurants program permanent
Due to the success of the Open Restaurants program, officials are asking that it be continued beyond its expected end date in October.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus believe the popularity of Open Restaurants, the unclear timeline of the pandemic and the significant costs restaurant owners have incurred to participate make the program more important than ever.
“This has been one bright spot of normalcy for New Yorkers in a dark time,” said Gounardes, “and so long as we can ensure the program’s safety, it’s time to keep the open seating for good.”