Coronavirus: Here’s how you can stay safe and support business in the Myrtle Beach area
With Myrtle Beach taking precautions to ensure the safety of its residents and tourists, officials say it’s important to continue to support local businesses while also practicing smart safety tips to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The City of Myrtle Beach declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon after Horry County announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19, or coronavirus. Currently, the county has three confirmed cases, with one coronavirus-related death in the state, prompting event closures and calls for quarantining along the Grand Strand.
Horry County, Surfside Beach, Conway and North Myrtle Beach have also issued emergency declarations.
However, while the city plans for the unknown repercussions of what they consider a “health hurricane,” officials encourage residents to continue their normal routine and support local business, while also limiting personal interactions.
“The unknown with this emergency is how long it may last and what sort of long-term effects it will have,” City Spokesperson Mark Kruea said. “The vacationers are the lifeblood of the local economy. Their visitorship makes possible the broad range of services, restaurants, entertainment and more that we all are fortunate to enjoy.”
Officials suggested using take-out services from local eateries, scheduling home maintenance work from local landscaping or cleaning companies or trying one of Myrtle Beach’s many attractions and entertainment offerings as methods to continue fueling the economy with the potential for tourism to decrease.
Karen Riordan, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President, encouraged the purchase of gift cards or vouchers from local businesses to be used at a later time. She added shoppers should contact any business they plan to visit to ensure they are open.
“Many businesses are staying open and taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of infection while others are closing temporarily or operating under limited hours,” Riordan said. “It is possible to continue supporting local businesses even while practicing social distancing.”
Tourist attractions, such as Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing and The Market Common, are monitoring health concerns, canceling certain events and instituting extra safety measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
While The Market Common announced the military history tour and shag movie event scheduled for this week have been canceled, the Myrtle Beach destination is also heightening sanitation procedures in common areas. Restaurants and shops are also planning to limit hours of operation.
Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing spokesperson Jay Rodriguez added that all common area property events that were planned for the next eight weeks will be canceled. Businesses at both locations that have events planned will make the decision on the cancellation or postponement of their events, he said.
“Our highest priority is the health and safety of everyone visiting and working at Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing,” Rodriguez said. “Consistent with CDC recommendations, we have boosted our usual, thorough cleaning procedures using sanitizing and disinfectant formulas approved by the CDC, with an increased focus on highly trafficked locations.”
Rodriguez added hand sanitizing stations can be found in multiple locations, including near the restrooms. Mobile hand washing stations have also been installed throughout both properties, he said.
Pete Brooks, Director of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, also wants to see locals and visitors alike continue to shop at and support local businesses while the area navigates through this national pandemic.
While practicing necessary safety guidelines, whether it be washing your hands regularly and keeping a proper distance from others, Brooks said to keep essential items on hand, but to buy those items locally. If there’s discomfort eating out, he said to order meals to go or utilize the many meal delivery services to ensure those restaurants remain in business.
“Small business is the sole of the U.S. economy,” Brooks said. “Everyone must continue to do what they can to ensure our local businesses survive this crisis.”
Those looking to volunteer or donate resources to local charities should contact the United Way of Horry County, which serves as an umbrella organization for many local nonprofits that provide services to those most in need, for information.
