Here’s how Myrtle Beach’s proposed face mask policy would affect residents’ everyday lives
As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in Horry County, an executive order Myrtle Beach officials will review this week would require those within city limits to wear a face mask in all retail, accommodations and food establishments.
The proposed order, which is subject to change, will go before Myrtle Beach City Council during a special meeting on Thursday for a vote. If passed, the order will go into effect immediately, meaning residents and the expected influx of tourists for the July 4 weekend would be required to adhere to the policy and wear a face mask or covering where required.
Face coverings can include, but are not limited to, bandanas, medical masks, cloth masks, scarves, and gaiters, provided it securely covers the person’s nose and mouth.
The proposed policy calls for face masks to be worn in all retail businesses or establishments that are open to the public. Those would include grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, laundromats, barbershops and hair salons, gyms and fitness facilities, and professional service buildings, such as real estate offices, accounting firms and attorney offices.
Additionally, the order would apply to commercial retail establishments, including sporting goods, beachwear, furniture and home-furnishing stores. Floral shops, department stores, clothing, shoe, jewelry, luggage, hardware and home-improvement, book, craft and music stores would also be included.
Furthermore, the proposed order states that all customers and staff are required to wear face coverings while inside an enclosed area of any retail, food or hotel establishment. All customers frequenting indoor common areas in any overnight accommodations would also be mandated to wear a face covering.
Exemptions to the order would include: personal vehicles, when a person is alone in an enclosed space, during outdoor or indoor physical activity in which the active person maintains a minimum of 6 feet, on a public beach provided there is a 6-foot distance from others, in outdoor or unenclosed retail, food or accommodations areas in which social distancing of at least 6 feet is possible and observed.
The proposed policy would also exempt pedestrians walking with a group of no more than 10 family members or friends who are maintaining the appropriate distance from others, patrons while dining at a restaurant, those whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face mask, in settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a mask, in private offices. and while exclusively with members of a family or the same household.
Additionally, the order would exempt children under the age of 10, provided that adults accompanying children age four through nine shall use reasonable efforts to cause those children to wear face coverings while inside the enclosed area of any retail or food establishment, according to the proposed order.
If approved, those who violate the order would be guilty of a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $100. Each day the violation continues will be considered a separate offense, according to the draft order. A business that violates the order could have its business license suspended or revoked.
According to the proposed order, an establishment that further fails to require employees to wear face coverings will be declared a public nuisance, which may be abated by the city by restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction, or other lawful means.
Both Myrtle Beach City Manager Pedersen and Mayor Brenda Bethune said in a statement last week council will review the current draft order Thursday, and if passed, would allow Pedersen to issue the executive order on the mask policy to go into effect on July 3. The meeting, which was originally scheduled to be a workshop, will be designated as a special meeting to allow council to take a formal vote, Pedersen said.
If approved, Myrtle Beach would join other South Carolina cities in taking independent action to slow the virus’ spread.
With the rise in cases, four South Carolina cities — Greenville, Columbia, Hilton Head and Charleston — have chosen to enforce ordinances requiring masks be worn — a step S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster hasn’t taken, despite expressing dismay with the recent case boom and many in the public dismissing health officials’ recommendations.
As of Monday, Horry County had 3,150 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 44 deaths, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Though, since the start of June, more than 2,500 cases have been diagnosed. Prior to the area hosting its first testing event on May 30, Horry County had only recorded 426 coronavirus cases since the first case was reported on March 15.
Overall, South Carolina has 34,546 confirmed coronavirus cases and 717 deaths, according to DHEC, as of Monday.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 2:26 PM.
