COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s governor will finish the state’s keep at house order over the coronavirus subsequent week and permit eating places to serve individuals at outside tables so long as strict distancing guidelines are adopted.
Gov. Henry McMaster’s announcement on Friday got here the identical day that state parks reopened together with various resorts alongside the coast and seashores that had been closed for over a month.
McMaster promised to maintain listening to well being officers as he decides what to reopen. Nonetheless closed are indoor eating at eating places and shut contact companies reminiscent of hair salons.
However even with a lot reopening, well being consultants are warning individuals to proceed to observe social distancing. Massive teams and events are nonetheless banned, playgrounds and picnic shelters at parks are closed and resorts on the state’s hottest seaside vacation spot — Myrtle Seaside — can’t begin taking new reservations till Might 15.
McMaster mentioned Monday will mark the top of the order, which had allowed a $100 positive for anybody exterior their house for a cause aside from work, visiting household, exercising alone or going to an important enterprise like a grocery retailer.
The state additionally will permit outside desk eating to renew Monday so long as eating places preserve eight toes of house between tables, set a restrict of eight individuals per desk, and sanitize chairs, tables and seats after each buyer. Eating places should additionally preserve any tents used for outside seating open.
Friday’s step of reopening the outside and letting guests keep on the seaside is important in a state the place tourism brings in almost $2 billion in taxes yearly. With the state bracing for a projected 50% drop in guests, getting the outside reopened is important.
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“We have to make it OK for individuals to journey once more, for individuals to buy once more for individuals to do these issues that deliver our financial system again,” mentioned state Division of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Duane Parrish.
South Carolina is beginning a advertising marketing campaign. The primary slogan going into rotation Friday is “dream now uncover later.” That will likely be observe subsequent month by “everytime you’re prepared, we’ll be prepared,” state tourism officers mentioned.
However for cities on the coast, there stay loads of worries. The Myrtle Seaside Metropolis Council reluctantly agreed to ask guests again as a result of state legislation prevented them from preserving resorts closed after Might 1.
The council did move further guidelines for resorts Thursday. They’ll solely honor beforehand made reservations till Might 15, after they can begin taking new reservations.
Resort staff should clear any often touched surfaces like stair rails or doorknobs each hour. Just one particular person or one household — with everybody sporting masks — will be on visitor elevators, which might be fairly unappealing in sprawling 15- or 20-story resorts that dot the world.
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“We all know with heat climate and that good, fairly ocean out right here, individuals are going to come back whether or not we would like them or not. So we’ve received to guard these individuals and our residents,” Myrtle Seaside Council member Mike Chestnut mentioned.
However the different issues that attract individuals to the seaside like go-cart tracks and amusement rides stay closed for now.
South Carolina has reported almost 6,100 COVID-19 instances and 244 deaths, in accordance with Thursday’s replace from the state Division of Well being and Environmental Management.
For most individuals, the coronavirus behind the pandemic causes gentle or reasonable signs. For some, it may possibly trigger extreme sickness reminiscent of pneumonia, and even dying.
Additionally on Friday, state parks reopened with a whimsical video after being closed for greater than a month. Shelters and on-site museums stay closed.
South Carolina Chief Justice Don Beatty on Thursday prolonged a ban on foreclosures and evictions till Might 15.