Gov. McMaster says SC will do stay-at-home policy ‘only if it becomes necessary’
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday held off on endorsing a statewide stay-at-home policy as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state continues to rise — and as local governments pursue their own restrictive orders — adding state leaders will only implement that “drastic” measure “if and only if it becomes necessary to take those steps.”
“When will it become necessary? How will we know?” McMaster said during a press conference, referring to when the state may order a stay-at-home policy. “We will know based on the data, on the facts, on the science, on the expert knowledge and opinions and analysis of the professionals in the field. ... We will do it on the basis of nothing else. If that time comes, you will certainly know and we will say so.”
The push back came as the cities of Columbia and Charleston have adopted their own policies outlining who is and who is not considered essential and is able to travel to and from work while the state attempts to treat the coronavirus outbreak.
Myrtle Beach City Council also decided Thursday to shut down hotels, accommodations services and popular attractions.
The city of Greenville also is reportedly considering a similar measure.
“I have great faith in the people of South Carolina,” McMaster said. “They follow rules. They’re respectful. They’re courteous. They’re gentle. They’re smart. They’re resilient. And if you will notice the things we have asked them to do, they are doing and they are doing (them) very well.”
In the state’s capital city, residents are being asked to stay home as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus.
On Thursday, Columbia City Council approved its shelter-in-place plan, which requires people to stay at home, avoid public streets, sidewalks and other public places that include businesses unless those businesses are conducting “essential services.”
However, the ordinance, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, offers a long list of exceptions, including public transportation, food services and groceries, the news media, banks and homeless shelters.
McMaster told reporters late Thursday he had not yet read all the details of the new ordinances for Columbia and Charleston.
But, he added, most measures being ordered are measures the state already called for for two weeks.
“The good news is that South Carolinians are following these instructions and following these requests and suggestions very well,” he said.
State health officials announced Thursday the state has now 456 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the virus has contributed to the deaths of nine people. Johns Hopkins University said Thursday the United States now leads the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases.
State officials also said the state has a backlog of 1,600 samples in need of testing. That backlog is the result of what officials described as a national and state shortage of the chemical needed to test the samples, which can lead to delays in test results, state epidemiologist Linda Bell said.
“Because of potential shortages, we do not recommend that everybody who is ill get a test to see if they have COVID-19 infection,” Bell said. “If disease activity increases significantly, we will advise people to stay home, get better and seek medical attention only if symptoms are worsening. This will allow health care systems and our health care providers to give care to those who are most seriously ill and need it most.”
With cases still expected to grow in the state and country, President Donald Trump said this week he hopes to have the country back to business by Easter.
“That’s good,” McMaster said. “We’d love to be back in business by Easter.”
But asked whether that is misleading or confusing to people, McMaster said “No.”
“No, I don’t. The president is optimistic,” McMaster said. “The president realizes ... that business is our lifeblood. The business of South Carolina is business. ... And so, we’re trying to do everything we can do to keep business flourishing and keep businesses growing without putting the public health in jeopardy.”
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 5:51 PM.
