Last week it was reported that Massachusetts restaurants would be able to keep Expanded Outdoor Dining areas open beyond November 1, and now we have learned that the city of Boston will be allowing outdoor dining in general to remain in place until December 1 at the very least.

According to multiple sources, including Universal Hub which posted an article on it yesterday afternoon, the Boston Licensing Board has issued new regulations that will allow patios that have been created or extended due to the pandemic to remain in place until December 1, while restaurants with permanent patios will be able to keep their outdoor areas open for as long as they can. In addition, the board may extend the December 1 date for the temporary patios on a case-by-case basis, or possibly even issue a general extension for all expanded/new outdoor areas, while noting that the temporary patios could be affected by weather-related issues such as the need for plows to be able to maneuver through an area that could have a temporary patio.

On Thursday of last week, Governor Charlie Baker said that he plans to sign an executive order that would "extend the timeframe for municipal permitting for expanded outdoor dining" beyond the current November 1 date, though an exact new end date has not been given as of yet.

[Earlier Article]
Governor Baker to Sign Order Extending Timeframe for Expanded Outdoor Dining in Massachusetts

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)