China Overseas Chinese Network, December 30th. According to a report by Qiaobao.com, following the launch of the Open Storefronts project in New York at the end of October, Mayor Bai Sihao announced on December 29 local time that the project will be extended to September 2021. On the 30th, small businesses such as restaurants were allowed to sell pre-packaged food outside the store or used as a customer pick-up area to help more small businesses use the space outside the store to conduct business.

　　Bai Sihao said that outdoor business projects help small businesses maximize their business space and ensure the health and safety of customers while shopping.

By introducing restaurants into the project, it will help restaurant operators create operational flexibility and encourage small businesses to actively participate in the project to overcome the challenges brought by winter weather and the epidemic.

　　According to the regulations on outdoor business projects, any sidewalk with a width of more than 8 feet (approximately 2.4 meters) within New York City can be used for outdoor business projects, but small businesses cannot occupy the space of adjacent businesses, and all the sidewalks must be closed after closing. Facilities and goods are placed indoors.

Any store facing the street, such as restaurants, health and personal care stores, repair shops, laundry shops, etc., can open outdoor operations.

　　The permitted business hours are from 8 am to 11 pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays, and are consistent with the store's business hours.

In short, if the store closes its indoor operation, it cannot continue its outdoor operation.

　　The specifications of the outdoor business space must not exceed 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) wide and 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) high, and the sidewalk must be 8 feet (about 2.4 meters) wide for pedestrians.

For small businesses such as semi-basement restaurants, such as the semi-basement restaurant on Erice Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown, as long as the store door is connected to the street and does not share business space with other stores, they can also apply for outdoor business projects.

　　At the same time, most products approved for sale indoors can be sold in outdoor business spaces, but alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, medicines, adult products or related products cannot be sold in outdoor business spaces, nor can they be provided in outdoor business spaces Beauty salon and other services.

At the same time, heaters or loud music are not allowed in the outdoor business space. Due to the winter weather, if the Municipal Cleaning Bureau (DSNY) issues a blizzard warning, all outdoor business activities must be suspended.

　　If there are public facilities such as bicycle parking facilities in front of the store, the store must not move the public facilities without authorization when carrying out outdoor operations, otherwise a fine will be imposed. However, are small businesses allowed to add lighting facilities on the sidewalk in front of the store, but the premise is that it meets the safety regulations of the Municipal Fire Department and does not create a blind spot for passing vehicles. (Liu Yiling)