COLOMBIA – As the coronavirus spread across South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster closed schools, delayed elections and restricted restaurant service.
Now he is temporarily shutting down what the state considers non-essential business – a step behind the orders to stay at home imposed by some of the largest cities in South Carolina, which also place limits on discretionary travel.
The governor’s last executive order, which comes into effect at 5 pm on Wednesday, comes a day after he ordered a ban on all public access to beaches, rivers and lakes, after large open-air meetings continued at the end week.
McMaster said on Tuesday that the 11 executive orders he issued since the state’s first cases were reported take health safety into account, but avoid “going too far and destroying businesses and jobs that people depend on”.
“We think that our approach, which is to maximize our aggressive efforts against the disease while trying to avoid everything except the necessary displacement, is the right way to go,” McMaster said on Tuesday.
Non-essential deals with close contact between customers will be closed for at least 15 days. They include gyms, bowling alleys, spas, nightclubs, hairdressers, manicurists and tattoo parlors. The order does not close retail stores. Nurseries can also remain open.
“This was the least we think we can do on closings to have the biggest impact,” said McMaster.
Many of the businesses that close on demand have already closed their doors due to a lack of customers, with more people observing social distance, he said.
At least 40 other states closed non-essential deals after the COVID-19 outbreak, according to an ABC News count. Most states without a ban on non-essential business are in the South, including Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Texas.
McMaster said he has no plans to issue an enacted home order in more than 30 states, as well as Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Columbia. Greenville is considering a similar order that, in many cases, closes some retail stores. Several other cities, including Hilton Head Island, have asked McMaster to issue a stay at home statewide request.
“(The cities of SC) have been looking for clarity and consistency from the governor and we are still waiting,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.
Since the state’s first cases were identified on March 6, the governor has taken several measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus that hit 1,083 Southern Carolinians, killing 22. The cases are not expected to peak until mid-May at least.
McMaster declared a state of emergency that activated the National Guard and authorized troops to build medical units outside hospitals, if necessary. Its emergency declaration allows police officers to disperse groups of three or more people to promote social distance.
He also issued orders banning dinner service in restaurants, visits to prisoners and nursing homes and meetings of over 50 in public spaces that canceled major festivals.
McMaster closed public elementary and high schools during April and state colleges during the semester, forcing students to take classes online. He postponed 45 local elections until May.
He ordered all non-essential state officials to work from home and demanded that visitors from areas with a high concentration of cases – New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the city of New Orleans – self-quarantine for two weeks after arriving to the state.
McMaster’s new order closing non-essential deals as of Wednesday night includes:
Entertainment venues – Nightclubs; Bowling allies; arcades; theaters and auditoriums; tourist attractions (including museums and aquariums); race tracks; indoor children’s play areas (except daycare centers); entertainment venues for adults; bingo rooms; and locations operated by social clubs.
Recreational and athletic facilities / activities – Fitness / exercise centers; spas; public and commercial pools; group exercise facilities (including yoga, barre and spin studios); sports spectator; sports that involve interaction within 2 meters of another person; activities that require the sharing of sports equipment; and activities on commercial or public playground equipment.
Provide close contact services – Barber shops; hairdressing salons; hair removal salons; queuing rooms; beauty salons and nail spas; tattoo services; Tanning salons; and massage therapy establishments and services.