Coronavirus updates May 4: Restaurants open for outdoor dining along the Grand Strand
May the Fourth be with you, Myrtle Beach!
As of May 4, restaurants in South Carolina can now open for outdoor dining after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster lifted restrictions on how eateries can operate. Here’s a list of restaurants currently providing outdoor services in Horry and Georgetown counties.
Also today, the state’s “home or work” executive order is now voluntary, meaning that while McMaster loosened restrictions, residents are still urged to continue safety recommendations, such as hand washing, wearing face coverings in public, social distancing and being mindful of touching their face to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
Previous orders requiring visitors from coronavirus hot spots - like New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - to self-quarantine for 14 days after entering the state and mandating that short-term rental companies deny reservations to such visitors are no longer in effect.
Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area May 4:
Horry County saw a slight increase in confirmed coronavirus cases and one additional death this weekend.
As of Monday morning, the number of coronavirus cases has reached 226, with 17 deaths in Horry County, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released Sunday afternoon.
There are 45 cases in Georgetown County, with the death toll remaining at three, DHEC reports.
Cases across South Carolina have reached 6,626 and there have been 275 deaths, according to DHEC.
Today’s takeaways:
South Carolina’s projected date to ease COVID social distancing lags behind many states. Read more here.
A doctor with ties to a Grand Strand Clinic pushed a vitamin treatment for COVID-19 without evidence backing his claims, federal officials say. Click here to learn more.
With hurricane season beginning on June 1, Horry County leaders area preparing for a hurricane-coronavirus mix.
Restaurants are officially allowed to reopen for outdoor dining. Check out this list of restaurants currently open and operating under McMaster’s guidelines. If you want to be added to the list, email your information to ayoung@thesunnews.com
Wash your hands & stay safe
Monday will see mostly sunny weather on Monday with temperatures in the mid-80s with non-severe thunderstorms possible after midnight into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
CDC guidelines remain in place regarding hygiene, sanitation and social distancing. It’s recommended residents and tourists limit their social interactions, wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and do whatever they can do to keep the coronavirus from spreading.
