The City of Vancouver says it has issued its first 14 temporary expedited patio permits. Council approved the plan in early May, and applications for the program opened Monday.
The initiative is designed to allow restaurants reeling from the impacts of COVID-19 to expand seating into public street, parking and sidewalk space adjacent to their business.
Health officials have cited outdoor dining as one way to keep restaurants open while cutting the risk of transmitting the virus. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] The temporary permits are valid until Oct.
31. The new program has transformed what was previously an expensive, months-long process into a free, two-day turnaround. Restaurants serving