Incoming New York City mayor Eric Adams and a contender to lead the City Council next year has called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to reverse his decision to ban propane heaters for outdoor dining setups.
Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and in six weeks mayor of New York, and Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan) called on de Blasio to recall his order and allow back propane dining heaters.
Sources said restaurants across the five boroughs bought the devices last winter to keep patrons warm while eating outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic-induced surge in alfresco eating.
In a letter sent to de Blasio on Tuesday, Adams and Powers said there is a need to change the order since propane dining heaters are a big help for restaurants that want to earn this pandemic.
“The pandemic continues to affect the daily lives of New Yorkers and the many small businesses that serve them. Many diners still prefer the safety of outdoor dining and restaurants are still struggling financially to recover,” the letter said.
“We need all tools available as we continue to fight back from the economic hardships created by COVID-19,” the letter added.
De Blasio earlier banned the use of propane as a safety fire precaution.
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