NEW YORK - Several days into the city’s recommendation that New Yorkers stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed an issue on the minds of many -alternate side of the street parking.
Starting Wednesday, alternate side regulations - ordinarily implemented to conduct street cleaning on city streets - would be suspended for seven days until at least March 24.
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"This will give an opportunity to evaluate the impact and see if this is something that we want to do on a longer term basis," De Blasio said.
Prior to the ruling, the continuation of alternate side parking regulations amid a public health emergency was an issue confusing to some and comical to others.
One twitter user added alternate-side parking to the list of certainties in life, along with death and taxes. Several local lawmakers including City Council speaker Corey Johnson addressed the issue repeatedly on social media sayin "We are telling everyone to STAY HOME — when will @NYCSanitation and @NYCMayorsOffice give an answer on suspending alternate side of the street parking?"
New Yorkers were relieved to hear about the mayor’s action but for different reasons.
"The city really shouldn’t profit at a time like this with such a pandemic going on," said one New Yorker.
"There are also older people that have cars that had to come out and move them from one side of the street to the other if they need to stay home then it’s kinda hard to come out and move your car," said another New Yorker.
The decision was one so many were relieved to hear, Councilman Justin Brannon jokingly pointed out that his tweet about what to do if you are feeling sick got four shares. But his post about alternate side parking being suspended got 400,000 shares.
While alternate side parking rules are suspended, drivers will still have to pay the meters.