After warnings, SC gym, salon defied coronavirus stay at home orders, cops say
Two business have been cited for staying open during the coronavirus pandemic, and ignoring stay at home mandates as well as an order from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, the Charleston Police Department said.
Both the All for You Salon and Tres Gym were deemed “non-essential” businesses by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and the City Council, and later in an order from McMaster.
In spite of that designation, both businesses continued to operate and welcome customers — even after being warned, police said in a news release.
One of them even pretended to be closed, but really had customers sneak in through the backdoor, according to the release.
A stay at home ordinance was approved in the city of Charleston March 24 in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.
On March 31, McMaster closed all nonessential businesses in South Carolina because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus is highly contagious and spread through peoples’ breath or sneezing as well as by touch. There is no vaccine, no medicine to treat it and it can be fatal. One of the best ways to avoid catching it is to stay away from others, medical authorities say.
Specific businesses that were closed in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 included gyms, spas, nightclubs, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors, waxing salons, massage centers, fitness centers, bowling alleys, arcades, racetracks, indoor children’s play areas, theaters, planetariums, museums, tourist attractions and performing arts centers.
In spite of that order, the Department of Livability and Tourism received tips about both businesses being open in violation of the ordinance on April 1, according to the release.
But they weren’t punished. Instead the owners were given verbal warnings in an effort to educate them about the ordinances, and told to close their businesses, police said.
The warnings did not work.
Tips continued to come in that the owners had the businesses open, which was soon confirmed by Daniel Riccio, the director of Charleston’s Department of Livability and Tourism, according to the release.
On April 3, he went to the salon and it appeared to be closed, but customers were entering the business through the rear door, police said.
Riccio then knocked knocked on the rear door and an employee let him inside, where he found the owner, two employees along with three customers who were having their hair and nails done, according to the release.
Later, on a trip to Tres Gym, a customer let Riccio inside, where he witnessed eight customers along with the owner, police said.
The director issued the citations to two employees and the owner of All for You Salon, and the owner of Tres Gym, it said in the release.
Police are encouraging citizens report any violations to keep the “city safe and work together to help stop the spread of the virus.” Anyone with a tip is asked to call 843-724-7311 during business hours, or 843-743-7200, or Lowcountry CrimeStoppers at 843-554-1111.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Since early March, DHEC reported 274 positive COVID-19 tests in Charleston County, most of any county in South Carolina. One person died after testing positive in Charleston County, according to DHEC.
On Saturday, 217 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 1,917 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that six more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 40 in a month. State health officials described 39 of the people as elderly, one person was middle-aged, and all but two had underlying medical conditions.
There have been 16,397 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Sunday morning, 1,216,422 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 65,711 people have died, while 252,478 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 312,249 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 8,503 deaths have been reported, including 2,624 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
