Kitchener encourages cool eats with expedited winter patio approvals

Kitchener city officials say they're moving quickly to approve patio licences for restaurants hoping people will dine al fresco in the middle of winter.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said in a release that restaurant owners "continue to show their resiliency" during the pandemic.

"We know how hard these restrictions have been on restaurant operators, and we're doing everything we can to enable them to pivot some with outdoor winter dining as an option," he said.

Indoor dining is currently not allowed after the province returned to a modified step two of COVID-19 restrictions. Takeout, delivery and outdoor dining are permitted.

Patios require a licence. Normally, the Alcohol and Gaming Corporation of Ontario (AGCO) is the licensing body responsible for outdoor patios, but the province gave municipalities the ability to issue patio licences last year and extended it into this year.

The city noted last year, patio approvals were often granted within 24 hours and more than 100 restaurants took advantage of the patio expansion program.

Vrbanovic also encouraged people to eat local and support local restaurants.

"Over the coming weeks, the best thing we can do is support these local restaurants through your takeout and delivery orders and by visiting any restaurants who decide to provide outdoor dining as an option," he said.