When will Strand parks, libraries & other public spots reopen after COVID-19 shutdown?
With health and safety restrictions across South Carolina being lifted amid the coronavirus pandemic, government officials along the Grand Strand are erring on the side of caution by keeping public buildings shuttered for now and continuing the trend of virtual meetings, though that could soon change.
As S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster looks to reopen the economy by making his “home or work” order now voluntary and relaxing restrictions on beaches, restaurants and tourism throughout the state, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach are currently devising plans to reopen government-owned facilities to the public, though no specific date has been set.
Myrtle Beach city buildings and facilities could reopen to the public in about two weeks, according to city spokesperson Mark Kruea. While it’s not a definite timeline, he said officials are monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases daily and collaborating with other local, regional and state officials prior to making any decisions.
“We’ll need to reopen with new safety measures in place, both for the protection of the public and staff,” Kruea said. “Social distancing is going to be the new norm for awhile.”
Currently, city buildings and facilities, including City Hall, recreation centers, the library, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, are still closed. While hotels, outdoor dining and beach accesses are open for public use, parks and playgrounds will also remain shut down with barricades erected restricting use.
City Manager John Pedersen added that a timetable for reopening closed facilities will be discussed during City Council’s virtual meeting on Tuesday. Meetings are held via conference call and broadcast on the city’s Facebook page.
North Myrtle Beach currently does not have a projected opening date for its public buildings, city spokesperson Pat Dowling said. While all city services are still being provided to the public online and government meetings held live on YouTube, he said officials are working on crafting protocols for employees to follow whenever buildings and in-person services reopen.
Guidelines for the public to adhere to when entering public buildings are also being constructed, he said.
“One thing we have learned over the past couple of months is that the COVID-19 environment is not static but ever-changing,” Dowling said. “What might look like sensible protocol today may be too strict or too loose when it comes time to actually reopen our public buildings.”
Surfside Beach Mayor Bob Hellyer said he anticipates Town Hall will reopen to the public on May 13, with the date subject to change if McMaster extends his state of emergency order. Currently, plexiglass is being installed for the safety of town employees, he said.
Town services are still being offered to the public via drop-off box and U.S. Mail and parks are open. Hellyer added Town Council members will continue conducting virtual teleconference meetings until they believe it is safe to resume in-person forums.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been 238 coronavirus cases in Horry County since mid-march, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. The county has seen 18 deaths due to the virus, DHEC reports, with 305 deaths statewide. In South Carolina, there have been 6,936 reported COVID-19 cases.
Last week, there were a total of 27 new positive cases reported in Horry County and five deaths, compared to 20 new cases the prior week, with no reported deaths, records show.
