SC Governor reopens some stores, beaches and waterways
At his press conference on Monday afternoon, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has reversed restrictions on some businesses allowing some more retail shopping to open and also loosened restrictions he has placed on public access to beaches.
Under the governor’s new order, retail businesses deemed nonessential can reopen. This includes sporting goods stores, book, music, shoe, craft stores, flea markets, department stores, jewelry stores and floral shops.
All stores in the state must still abide by previous orders that limit occupancy to five customers per 1,000 square feet, or 20% of posted occupancy limits.
Governor McMaster also loosened restrictions on public access to beaches and waterways, leaving it up to local jurisdictions.
Beaches can reopen Tuesday, April 21st at noon. However, it will be up to local officials whether or not beaches will reopen, the governor said. Some have already spoken up saying they will not reopen, such as Isle of Palms, Edisto Beach, Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island.
As for now, the beach at Hunting Island State Park is still closed until April 30th at the earliest. State parks were not part of S.C. Gov. McMaster’s order on Monday afternoon reopening public access to beaches.
McMaster says law enforcement can still break up groups of three or more people, and that includes on the beaches too.
The reopening of retail stores does not include barbershops and salons, or gyms, because they all involve close contact; and it does not lift restrictions on inside dining. Governor McMaster’s stay at home order is still in place.
The governor says no decision has been made about schools reopening. “We are still in a dangerous situation, and we know this disease is deadly.”
“Our goal is to cause the most damage possible to the virus, while doing the least possible damage to our businesses,” McMaster said.
Meanwhile, in Georgia
Across the border in Georgia, Governor Kemp announced that effective Friday, gyms, salons, barbershops, bowling alleys, and theaters will be allowed to reopen as long as they follow social distancing guidelines and other safety measures. Restaurants will be allowed to resume in-person dining as long as they can adhere to guidelines that the governor’s office will issue later this week.
