Coronavirus updates for March 31: Cones closing beach accesses go up in Myrtle Beach area
Local officials are warning Tuesday morning that people who park at public beach accesses or boat ramps will be ticketed following S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s order to close those areas during the coronavirus outbreak.
With concerns of crowds flooding beaches, McMaster ordered the closure of public beach accesses, boat ramps, parking lots adjacent to the state’s beaches and “all public piers, docks, wharfs.”
Horry County crews are beginning to place road closure signs at county-owned public beach accesses, boat ramps and boat access roadways Tuesday, according to a post from Horry County Government.
Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said the city has a plan in place to enforce the ordinance by placing barricades and signage at all public beach access points and any adjacent parking lots, per the Governor’s orders. However, she said the beaches are still open and encourages folks to practice social distancing.
“We don’t interpret this to mean people are prohibited from the beach,” Bethune said. “The police department will continue to patrol the beach and monitor them, but enforcing people sitting on the beach or walking their dog, that’s not what their focus is.”
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area for March 31.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is reporting 32 cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Horry County as of Tuesday morning. Three people have died due to the coronavirus in Horry County, according to DHEC.
There are at least 925 cases across South Carolina, with 18 deaths from the virus, DHEC reports.
Today’s takeaways:
- South Carolina officials are setting up quarantine housing for people who are homeless and have the coronavirus. Here’s the latest.
- This local swimwear manufacturer has reopened to help replace elastic straps on N95 masks for Tidelands Health’s medical staff.
Spirit Airline will no longer take Myrtle Beach area travelers to northeastern states over concerns of spreading the virus. Here’s the latest.
Wash your hands & a smile
Here’s your daily reminder to wash your hands. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That’s long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice or “Jolene” by Dolly Parton.
And, we can’t forget a daily smile. Check out these cool cats.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 11:24 AM.
