In an effort to help the struggling hospitality industry, the province is allowing restaurants and pubs the opportunity to keep their extended patios for another year.
Last spring, the B.C. government began granting food and liquor establishments temporary expanded service area authorizations, to allow for larger capacity restrictions for areas like expanded patios.
While the expansions were initially set to expire by the end of October 2020, today (Sept. 18), the province announced the program would be extended until Oct. 31, 2021.
“The [Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch] intends to extend all TESA authorizations,” the province said in a press release. “However, the branch will reach out to local governments to confirm their support for the extension of approved TESA authorizations in their jurisdiction prior to extensions being granted.”
But with colder temperatures just around the corner, it may be difficult for many establishments to take advantage of the expanded service area authorizations, once patio weather becomes a thing of the past.
Additionally, the government has also extended the temporary authorization allowing food and liquor establishments to sell packaged liquor products to go.
This extension will now run to March 31, 2021.
Last week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a new public health order forcing the closure of B.C. nightclubs and the restriction of liquor sales in bars and restaurants to before 10 p.m.
The hospitality industry has come out against the new measures, saying many B.C. establishments will not survive.
