McMaster extends coronavirus SC state of emergency, allows bowling alleys to open
Gov. Henry McMaster has extended the ongoing state of emergency in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, but is now allowing bowling alleys to re-open.
The state of emergency allows South Carolina to continue to receive emergency funding for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the state of emergency continues, McMaster allowed bowling alleys to re-open and lifted occupancy restrictions on retail businesses that limited places to 5 people per 1,000 square feet or 20% of posted occupancy, which ever was less.
“We also must continue our methodical approach towards getting South Carolinians back to work and businesses contributing to the state’s economy,” McMaster said. “Businesses simply can’t be closed indefinitely, but they can operate in a safe way with our collective knowledge of the virus.”
Among the guidelines for bowling alleys is limiting the number of people on one lane at a time, having an empty lane in between each active one, requesting customers to bring their own bowling balls and shoes, if they have them, and cleaning and disinfecting bowling balls and shoes between users.
South Carolina had put restrictions in place and ordered certain businesses to close after the coronavirus was detected in the state in early March. However, restrictions have been lifted in recent months as people can now eat at restaurants, shop at retail establishments, go to public beaches, and visit tourist attractions.
As of Thursday, more than 16,000 South Carolinians had tested positive for COVID-19, a number that was surpassed when a one-day record high 687 new cases of the disease were reported. This followed days of case numbers being in the 400s and 500s.
McMaster first declared a state of emergency on March 13, when the daily case counts of the coronavirus were still low. Each state of emergency lasts 15 days.
The state of emergency continues as McMaster and state officials urge people to wear masks when in public and to continue to social distance.
“South Carolinians know what they can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, and it’s incumbent upon each and every one of us to follow the advice and recommendations of the public health experts,” McMaster said.
This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 10:51 AM with the headline "McMaster extends coronavirus SC state of emergency, allows bowling alleys to open."
