Advisory: Governor McMaster’s May 1, 2020 press conference: starting Monday “Work-or-Home” voluntary; outside dining.
Please read below for key points on COVID-19 executive orders received yesterday, Friday, May 1, 2020, via email from Governor Henry McMaster’s office following his press conference:
“Work-or-Home” voluntary starting May 4, 2020
“Governor Henry McMaster announced that the statewide “Work-or-Home” order will be lifted and returned to voluntary status on Monday, May 4th,” but “strongly urged anyone considered to be “at-risk” based on CDC guidance to limit exposure to others and for all South Carolinians to continue prioritizing their travels between home and work, when possible.”
Restaurants outdoor dining starting May 4, 2020
“The governor also announced that beginning on May 4th, restaurants throughout South Carolina may provide outdoor customer dining service in addition to existing take out, curbside, and delivery services.”
Restaurant owners, managers and employees, please see the attached PDF documents and read below for guidelines:
“Based on advice and recommendations from DHEC and the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, Governor McMaster has established the following guidelines for restaurants to follow if they choose to open for outdoor seating.”
Existing approved outdoor seating areas:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Limit table groups to 8 individuals;
- Eliminate gatherings in the building when entering or exiting outdoor seating area;
- Maintain strict social/physical distancing guidelines;
- Tables, chairs, and seats should be sanitized after every customer
If open areas and/or temporary tents are utilized by existing, permitted restaurants, all sides of the tent must be open and the following conditions are required:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Table groups are to be limited to 8 individuals;
- State approved fire extinguisher within 75 feet of tent area;
- Minimum of 7-foot-6 inch head room (ceiling height)
“Hotspots” self-quarantine lifted
“The governor also announced that he has lifted Executive Order 2020-19 because CDC guidance identifying “hotspots” throughout the country, which constituted the basis upon which short term rental companies were to deny reservations, has since lapsed and was not renewed. The governor has also lifted Executive Order 2020-14, which required individuals entering the state from the same “hotspots” to self-quarantine for two weeks.” COVID-19 hotspots were identified as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Enforcement of executive orders
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce Section 16-7-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws “illegal acts during state of emergency” in place through Governor Henry McMaster’s COVID-19 executive orders—which include gatherings at sandbars and congregating in groups of three or more—along with all other state laws. We urge Beaufort County residents and businesses to comply with the governor’s executive orders and to follow recommendations from medical community on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor McMaster’s COVID-19 executive orders can by viewed through this link: https://governor.sc.gov/executive-branch/executive-orders
Beaufort County & municipal governments
For information regarding government operations of Beaufort County and its municipalities: the City of Beaufort, the towns of Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Port Royal and Yemassee, please visit their websites:
- Beaufort County Government: www.bcgov.net
- The City of Beaufort: https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/
- The Town of Bluffton: https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/
- The Town of Hilton Head Island: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/
- The Town of Port Royal: http://www.portroyal.org/
- The Town of Yemassee: https://www.townofyemassee.org/
Thank you to Beaufort County residents
Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Beaufort County residents for their continued compliance with social distancing and the governor’s executive orders, and for their cooperation and courtesy with first responders and each other throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Please stay healthy and safe.
Any concerns regarding possible violations of the provisions of the governor’s COVID-19 executive orders, should be directed to law enforcement.
