BROOKLINE — Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett announce that the town of Brookline has extended the outdoor dining season, and has outlined a new public order for private schools open for in-person learning.
Outdoor Dining Extended Through the Winter Months
The Town of Brookline is launching a Winter Outdoor Dining Pilot Program designed to further support restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will enable restaurants to continue to provide outdoor seating to customers through the winter months, and establishes an enhanced set of safety protocols for outdoor dining areas that occupy parking spaces. The program will expire on March 31, 2021.
Only restaurants that have secured approval for outdoor seating through the Town’s Extended Outdoor Dining Temporary Licensing Program, which was launched in October 2020, are eligible to participate in this pilot program. Extended outdoor dining was made possible by a concerted effort between the Division of Economic Development and Long-Term Planning, the Department of Public Works and the Select Board.
For restaurants whose outdoor spaces occupy streets, the town will provide temporary barriers to keep diners safe from traffic. Additionally, restaurants may seek temporary signage to reserve parking spaces in front of their location to support takeout operations.
The extension of outdoor dining through the winter is part of a suite of initiatives undertaken by the Town of Brookline to support businesses during the pandemic, along with takeout-only parking, expanded retail sales on sidewalks and more.
Business owners are invited to learn more about the extended outdoor dining season at the next virtual town hall meeting for businesses and nonprofits, which will take place on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. Click here to access the meeting.
For more information about the winter outdoor dining program, click here
Brookline Department of Public Health Updates Private School Guidelines
Effective Friday, Dec. 18, private schools in Brookline will be required to adhere to an updated set of standards as ordered by the town Department of Public Health.
The new order requires that private schools that offer sports programming and other events must adhere to standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ COVID-19 guidance documents, and must receive approval for these programs and events from the Brookline Department of Public Health.
Additionally, private schools will be required to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance among students and staff during classroom activities, as well as during transportation, group education and sporting events and programs.
They are also required to provide COVID-19 operations plans for review and approval.
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