Hold It: NYC Reverses Indoor Restroom Ban For Outdoor Diners

NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Bill de Blasio gave New Yorkers a message he never knew they would need to hear: “To all New Yorkers who go to a restaurant, yes, you can use the restroom.”

De Blasio wasn’t totally taking the piss.

Recently-released city guidance on restaurants after an indoor dining shutdown included a rule that outdoor diners couldn’t step inside the restaurant, even to use the restroom.

The rule quickly drew an outcry from restaurateurs and industry groups. By the time de Blasio sat for his daily briefing Friday, the pressure prompted city officials to reverse it.

De Blasio said he wasn’t involved in the decision making but acknowledged it lacked “common sense.”

“It's just stupid,” he said. “Obviously, people need to use the bathroom and, if you're patronizing a restaurant, you have a right to use the bathroom.”

De Blasio pointed out the rule was crafted in response to new state guidance. Gov. Andrew Cuomo later Friday said that the rule was never intended to keep patrons from using restrooms.

The number one priority was that diners don’t eat inside, officials said.