Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes issued an emergency order to authorize the use of “parklets” by Vancouver restaurants looking to expand seating capacity during Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan.
While Clark County remains in Phase 1 and cannot currently permit any dine-in activity at restaurants, the parklets would allow eateries to expand capacity when the county gets a green light to move into Phase 2.
Parklets are temporary outdoor dining areas located within on-street parking spaces. The city is currently accepting applications to participate in the program at www.cityofvancouver.us/sidewalkseating.
The emergency order would also reopen park picnic shelters. It extends the duration of several previous emergency orders, including:
- Extending city community center closures to July 5.
- Extending the suspension of on-street parking enforcement to June 30.
- Extending requirements that landlords, their contractors and representatives wear personal protective equipment and adhere to physical distancing protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Clark County Public Health Department when entering the interior of a rental unit or property to July 31.
- Extending the city’s internal infection disease control policy related to physical distancing and safety protocols until the city’s state of emergency order is lifted.
- Extending the city’s internal telecommuting policy until the city’s state of emergency is lifted.
The city council will review the emergency order at its upcoming meeting on Monday.
