Confused about wearing a mask? Here’s a guide to face-covering laws on the Grand Strand
Several communities along the Grand Strand have passed measures requiring that face masks be worn as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
While many municipalities in the Myrtle Beach area have approved ordinances requiring face masks and coverings be worn in public places, some only encourage masks be worn and folks to social distance when possible.
While business cannot force a customer to wear a mask, the ordinances do carry fines for non-compliance.
With each municipality carrying a different set of rules, we’ve broken them down by county, city and town to help you avoid any confusion — and fines.
All ordinances will remain in effect for 60 days, unless municipal leaders vote otherwise.
In the event you don’t have a medical mask, face coverings can also include, but are not limited to, bandanas, cloth masks, scarves, and gaiters, provided it securely covers the person’s nose and mouth.
Myrtle Beach
Face masks must be worn within the city limits.
The policy calls for masks to be worn in all retail businesses, personal service, food establishments, hotels, amusements and businesses that are open to the public. These include grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, laundromats, barbershops and hair salons, gyms and fitness facilities, amusements, and professional service buildings, such as real estate offices, accounting firms and attorney offices.
The order also applies 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 are also included.
The order does not include the beach.
For restaurants and bars, masks are required while entering, exiting, waiting for a table and ordering. They may be removed while eating or drinking but must be worn otherwise. Anyone staying in hotels, short-term rentals or other overnight accommodations must wear masks in any indoor common areas.
Furthermore, all employees are required to wear face coverings while inside an enclosed area of any retail, food or hotel establishment, when interacting with the public, staff, and when social distancing isn’t feasible.
Violators will 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.
A business that violates the order could have its business license or occupancy permit suspended or revoked. 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.
Exemptions 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 six feet; on a public beach provided there is a six-foot distance from others, and in outdoor or unenclosed retail, food or accommodations areas in which social distancing is possible and observed.
The policy also exempts 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.
Other exemptions include those who cannot remove a face covering without the assistance of others, first-responders when not engaged in a public safety matter of an emergency nature and those who cannot wear face coverings due to a medical, mental health issue, or developmental condition.
Additionally, the order will exempt children under 10, provided that adults accompanying children age 4-9 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 mandate.
Horry County
Residents and visitors will be required to wear face coverings in public places including retail establishments, restaurants, hair and nail salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors in unincorporated areas of Horry County. Those areas include Socastee, Carolina Forest, Little River, Bucksport, Longs and Garden City.
The order does not include the beach.
Exemptions include those who cannot safely wear a face covering due to age or health conditions, anyone who cannot remove the face covering without assistance, and those whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a mask.
Anyone violating the ordinance will be fined $25 for the first offense, $50 for a second and $100 for a third.
North Myrtle Beach
Masks must be worn in North Myrtle Beach.
The policy requires face masks be worn in all retail establishments, such as groceries and pharmacies, along with any business where personal services are dispensed, including hair and nail salons, barbershops, gyms and tattoo parlors. In the event that the face covering interferes with the personal service provided, the face covering may be removed.
Additionally, all restaurants, retail establishments, personal service and government agencies must require employees wear masks while engaging in any face-to-face interaction with the public. Businesses aren’t required to enforce the ordinance on customers, but must place signage throughout the establishment informing patrons that masks must be worn.
The order does not include the beach.
Exemptions include any person who is unable to safely wear a mask due to age, underlying health condition, religious beliefs or if unable to remove or put on mask without proper assistance.
Individuals who violate the order will be guilty of a civil infraction and fined $25, with businesses receiving a $100 fine for non-compliance. Each day of a continuing violation of the ordinance shall be considered a separate offense.
Surfside Beach
Masks are not required in Surfside Beach but strongly encouraged in public places, such as retail and food establishments.
Conway
An emergency ordinance requires citizens to wear face coverings in commercial establishments deemed essential by the municipality, including grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies and other businesses. People outside are not required to wear a mask as long as they can properly social distance
The ordinance states that the following circumstances do not require a face covering: in personal vehicles, when alone in enclosed spaces, during outdoor physical activity, provided the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people at all times, when alone or only with other household members, while drinking, eating or smoking, when wearing a face covering causes or aggravates a health condition, when wearing a face covering would prevent to receipt of personal services, and a person who is 8 or younger.
Exemptions include those who cannot safely wear a face covering due to age or health conditions, anyone who cannot remove the face covering without assistance, and those whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a mask.
The ordinance calls for a fine of up to $25 for a citizen who violates the “essential business clause.” Businesses could be subject to a fine of up to $100 for violating the ordinance.
Atlantic Beach
Face masks are required in retail, personal service and food establishments in Atlantic Beach.
All restaurants, retail, government and personal service businesses must require their employees to wear face coverings at all times while having face to face interaction with the public. While a business can’t force patrons to wear masks, they must place signage at all entrance informing customers of the requirements.
Exemptions include: any person who is unable to safely wear a face covering due to age, an underlying health condition, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance of others, and any person whose religious beliefs prevents them from wearing a face covering.
Violators will be guilty of a civil infraction, punishable by fine of no more than $25. A second offense will warrant an up to $100 fine. Each day of a continuing violating will be considered a separate and distinct offense.
Loris
There is currently no ordinance in place requiring face masks. A proclamation issued by Mayor Todd Harrelson recommends the use of social distancing and face masks as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Georgetown County
Members of the public over the age of 10 and employees are required to wear appropriate masks that cover the nose and mouth in Georgetown County businesses, including groceries, pharmacies, restaurants and retail stores. Restaurant patrons are exempt from the law while dining, but employees must wear a mask at all times while having face-to-face interaction with the public.
Businesses are required to post written notification at their main entrance notifying customers of the new law. A printable sign can be downloaded free at gtcounty.org if a business does not wish to create or purchase their own.
Anyone found in violation of the ordinance may be fined $25 for each offense. Repeated violators will be deemed a public nuisance.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
