Your guide to all things open or still closed on the Grand Strand during the coronavirus
Confused over what’s open and what’s still closed in the Myrtle Beach area? You’re not alone!
But, hey we’re trying to clear it up and put together a question and answer list to help everyone figure out whether their favorite Grand Strand stops are open.
Gov. Henry McMaster ordered closes of restaurants and beach accesses in March to help slow the spread of coronavirus across the state. Local municipalities then closed parks, public buildings and have conducted meetings virtually.
Now, after a month of closures, businesses and amenities are starting to reopen. Here are answers to some of your questions on what you can and can’t do in the Myrtle Beach area.
When can I go back to my favorite restaurant?
Reopen date: May 11
Restrictions: Restaurants must operate at a 50-percent capacity rate for indoor services. Most restaurants began offering outdoor dining last week, so if you are weary about sitting indoors, you still have the option to sit outside.
Can I visit public swimming pools?
Reopen date: May 18
Restrictions: McMaster has ordered restrictions that include facilities should only allow 20 percent of normal occupancy, or five people per 1,000 square feet of pool deck area. Visitors should also practice social distancing. Here is where to find more guidelines when visiting pools.
When can I go to the gym?
Reopen date: May 18
Restrictions: Similar to pool areas, gyms must follow a 20-percent capacity rate. Here is where to find more guidelines about gyms.
Am I allowed to go to the beach?
Public beach accesses along the Grand Strand are open, along with public parking in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach.
Can I go ride the SkyWheel?
Reopen date: Not determined yet.
Though you can visit restaurants in the City of Myrtle Beach, its attractions along Ocean Boulevard remain closed, including the SkyWheel and Family Kingdom. Horry County Council voted to remove an ordinance that closed amusement attractions outside the city, but it is still up to McMaster to allow those attractions to reopen.
Can I visit Horry County offices to do things like pay my taxes?
Reopen date: May 18
Who can visit: Any member of the public. Previously, only employees were allowed in the offices and the public could visit by appointment only, but now the public can visit to take care of business.
These offices include the Horry County Courthouse, libraries and offices elsewhere around the county. This does not mean public meetings will be held in person just yet.
What if I need to visit a local sex toy shop?
Yes, these have been deemed essential and are open.
Here are additional businesses allowed to reopen their doors in the next wave of reopens Monday.
- Salons and barber shops
- Waxing salons, threading salons, nail salons and spas
- Body-art facilities and tattoo services
- Tanning salons
- Massage-therapy establishments and massage services
Here are City of Myrtle Beach facilities opening Monday.
- Parks and dog parks
- Myrtle’s Market
- Municipal court
- City Hall
- Public Works Administration building
- The police department
What other businesses and government offices are now open?
- The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles has started a five day a week schedule as of Wednesday.
- Coastal Grand Mall and Tanger Outlet locations are open, though some retail chains have not reopened their doors.
After Monday’s wave of reopenings, that still leaves places in the Myrtle Beach area like movie theaters, bowling alleys, mini golf and other amusement attractions closed to the public.
While Myrtle Beach parks can reopen Monday, Grand Park will remain closed until further notice. Playground equipment, picnic shelters, exercise equipment, Matt Hughes Skate Park, tennis and outdoor pickleball courts and sports tourism facilities will remain closed until May 23, pending McMaster lifting current state orders and guidelines.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 1:32 PM.
