North Myrtle Beach to vote on face mask policy as COVID-19 cases surge in Horry County
North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said the city is considering a face mask policy as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Horry County.
City officials, who went into executive session during a special meeting on Monday to receive a legal briefing on such a mandate, said a proposed ordinance will be discussed and voted on Tuesday afternoon during a special meeting. Hatley did not elaborate on the details of the emergency ordinance but said it would apply to certain businesses and will likely be adopted.
“It is going to require people to wear masks in certain businesses and that type of thing,” Hatley said. “I feel certain we will be implementing it.”
If passed, Hatley said the order would go into effect on Wednesday. The meeting will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Myrtle Beach City Council is also considering a face mask policy ahead of the holiday weekend.
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 they 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.
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.
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.
