Coronavirus updates May 5: Here’s the latest in the Myrtle Beach area
Happy Cinco de Mayo, Myrtle Beach! Please drink responsibly today and be sure to follow social distancing guidelines.
Restaurants across the Grand Strand are officially open and providing outdoor dining to customers. With some restrictions on restaurants lifted statewide, Myrtle Beach amended an emergency order that will now allow restaurants to use up to 25 percent of their parking lots to set up additional dining options.
Conway City Council is also working with the business community to enhance outdoor seating in a safe and effective way. Over in North Myrtle Beach, officials voted down an ordinance Monday night that would have temporarily suspended sidewalk dining permits for the purpose of public safety.
Despite its failure, officials said they will revisit the topic if outdoor dining in the Cafe District poses a threat to the health and welfare of residents and tourists. North Myrtle Beach City Council also approved a measure that will delay the implementation of its plastic bag ban by a year to Jan. 1, 2022 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Lastly, some good news for all you parents out there: Horry County Schools’ students won’t have any new assignments to complete after May 15.
Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area May 5:
As of Tuesday morning, the number of coronavirus cases has reached 230, with 18 deaths in Horry County, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released Sunday afternoon.
There are 46 cases in Georgetown County, with the death toll remaining at three, DHEC reports.
Cases across South Carolina have reached 6,757, and there have been 283 deaths, according to DHEC. Across the state, there has been a 78 percent recovery rate after people have been confirmed with the virus, DHEC officials stated.
Today’s takeaways:
Myrtle Beach Pelicans bus driver loses fight with coronavirus. Read more here.
Myrtle Beach hotels may be open, but hoteliers are prepping for safety and low occupancy rates as they enter into the tourism seasons and recover from a month-long shutdown.
Horry County schools continue to mull over options for pending graduation ceremonies.
The B&B Theatres’ Conway 12 Cinema will be seeing some major renovations in the near future. Read more.
Restaurants are officially allowed to reopen for outdoor dining. Check out this list of restaurants currently open and operating under S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s guidelines. If you want to be added to the list, email your information to ayoung@thesunnews.com
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Wash your hands, stay safe & please consider donating
Today may be Cinco de Mayo, but here is your daily reminder to wash your hands and stay safe as 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.
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