WORCESTER, Mass. - On Thursday morning, the Worcester License Commission voted to approve extending outdoor dining permits until January 1, 2022.

The Commission approved the extension with a unanimous vote, based on the positive feedback from restaurant owners, saying the program was extremely successful. 

Permits are required to use parking lots and sidewalk areas to expand their outdoor dining space. Just 42 of the 90 eligible restaurants participating in the program last year used significant sidewalk and parking lot space. 

The outdoor dining space can only remain open until 10 PM on weeknights and 11 PM on weekends.

The Flying Rhino Cafe was among the many restaurants to participate in the program. The restaurant set up a tent in his parking lot last summer. 

Flying Rhino owner Paul Barber told Spectrum News 1 this week, “It was a great offering last year, it really worked. And we were able to, you know, keep a lot of people employed. Right now, we're planning on this expansion, hopefully again, same as last year.

The outdoor dining program is dependent on Governor Charlie Baker's State of Emergency order.  If Governor Baker lifts the order, restaurants would be able to continue outdoor dining for 60 days. 

A website will be launched Thursday with details on the program for the public and restaurant owners.