With the pandemic not yet out of sight, Victoriasa国际传媒檚 mayor says some people might have concerns about entering a crowded restaurant as the province drops its proof-of-vaccination system, but will still want to gather with friends and family.

That why shesa国际传媒檚 credited the province for answering the call and extending the allowance of pandemic patios at restaurants, cafes and bars across the province.

The provincesa国际传媒檚 temporary expanded service areas (TESA) program was set to expire on June 1, but on Thursday, B.C. extended the program until March 31, 2023, for businesses with existing authorizations.

sa国际传媒淔or businesses, itsa国际传媒檒l mean that they can focus on serving their customers rather than filling out paperwork,sa国际传媒� Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said in an interview.

The province said the extension will provide time for local authorities to update their patio policies and for licensees to apply to make areas permanent. Victoria council called for the move last month as it was concerned businesses wouldnsa国际传媒檛 be able to serve liquor on their temporary patios past the June end date.

sa国际传媒淭his extension will give everyone time to pursue permanent patios and the permanent expansion of licensed areas in an orderly way without feeling the crunch,sa国际传媒� Helps said. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 what we were pushing for, just to give everyone a bit more time.sa国际传媒�

B.C.sa国际传媒檚 public safety minister echoed the capital city mayorsa国际传媒檚 comments, saying the extension eliminates the risk of disrupting patio service during the busy summer season sa国际传媒� set to be the first in years without a host of health measures in place.

sa国际传媒淪ome local governments needed additional time to make the needed policy changes and assess applications for permanent structural changes in their communities,sa国际传媒� said Mike Farnworth

Expanded service areas looking to stick around for good still need to meet local bylaws, so the province is encouraging businesses to submit applications as soon as possible.

Victoria businesses will have to work with city staff if they want to keep their pandemic-risen structures, the mayor said, noting how some will have to be reigned in as certain set-ups look more like outdoor restaurants than patios. She applauded the provincesa国际传媒檚 local business support amid the now two-year-plus pandemic.

sa国际传媒淓veryone is going to ease out of the pandemic at their own pace and this gives more space for people to do so but not be cut out of a social setting,sa国际传媒� Helps said.

Businesses wishing to make their current TESA permanent must apply through the .

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