Myrtle Beach, Horry County start to reopen for business and recreation despite COVID-19
The Myrtle Beach area started to see signs of normalcy with increased beach access and more retail stores opening despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
“This is a very trying time for our city, but we can reopen so we did, but we’re on edge and trying to be extra, extra careful,” said Jim Huntley, owner of Treasures Fine Jewelers in Myrtle Beach.
During the past week, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster allowed public access to beaches — with local approval — and the reopening of some retail. The shops allowed to open included jewelers, florists, furniture stores.
They were all ordered closed weeks ago to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The ease of some restrictions did not mean the complete reopening of the area as the state’s “work or home” order remained in place. Hotels and short-term rentals are also closed throughout the Grand Strand.
Horry County continued to see its number of confirmed coronavirus cases grow in the last week. There were 198 cases as of Friday afternoon, up from 185 as of Sunday afternoon, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
There are more than 5,000 confirmed cases and 157 deaths across South Carolina due to COVID-19. Twelve of those deaths happened in Horry County.
South Carolina health officials also released a list of nursing home and rehab facilities in South Carolina with confirmed coronavirus cases. Two were in facilities along the Grand Strand.
Some retail reopens
Customers and shop owners welcomed the reopening of some businesses in the Myrtle Beach area. Hudson’s Flea Market in Surfside Beach now operates on its normal Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., hours.
The market requires vendors to follow and enforce state recommendations for social distancing.
“I think it’ll be a long time before we get back to something we consider normal,” manager Hayes Hudson said. “It’s definitely been a struggle for a lot of people and there’s a bunch of people wanting to get back to normal and see the economy get back to where it was, but we’ll just have to see what the future holds for us.”
Buds and Blooms florist in Longs closed in early April and reopened in the past week, owner Vivian Skipper said. The shop received a Paycheck Protection Program loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration, which was designed to assist small businesses.
Skipper said as they restart their business, the flowers they have for sale depend on the supplier.
“It is very slow and not all product that we are accustom to is available,” Skipper said.
While the business reopenings was welcomed news, there is still concern about the ongoing impact of the virus on the local economy. Horry County continued to have more initial unemployment claims than most other counties in the state. The area’s unemployment rate also rivals the percentages during The Great Depression.
“We’ve had rapid unemployment. By our best count, we are at a 25 percent unemployment rate in Horry County,” Horry County’s Assistant Administrator Barry Spivey recently said.
Fun in the sand
One of the other significant changes in South Carolina in the last week was the reopening of public access to beaches. Local municipalities could still close their oceanfronts — which its something Myrtle Beach and Georgetown County both did.
Horry County and North Myrtle Beach decided to allow public access to the beach. Locals flocked to the sand on Tuesday to enjoy the waves for the first time in weeks.
“This is paradise, and it’s good if people use good common sense,” North Myrtle Beach resident Tommy Loudermilk said. “It’s just nice to be out here enjoying the beach.”
Some of the public access that are closed could reopen as early as this week, including Myrtle Beach.
School’s out
While locals had the chance to get out of the house for a bit this week, many are still trying their best to help their children learn through virtual school.
The state announced this week that all schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. The move means students will continue to learn over the internet instead of sitting in local classrooms. The news hit hard for high school seniors who were set to graduate.
Horry County Superintendent Rick Maxey initially said graduation ceremonies would be held virtually. Later, the district backtracked and said other options are being considered, such as using football stadiums.
“The Horry County Board of Education, the District and school leaders appreciate all the seniors and parents who reached out to us. Graduation options and suggestions that are similar to those that are being discussed across the country will be taken into consideration,” the district said in a statement.
Correction: Surfside Beach oceanfront access is open, but has restriction on some activities.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 4:30 PM.
