More businesses in SC must close after being deemed nonessential during coronavirus
In a followup to Gov. Henry McMaster’s order closing all nonessential businesses in South Carolina because of the coronavirus pandemic, several more stores have been added to the original list.
All of the new businesses must close their doors to customers by 5 p.m. Monday.
The additional businesses that are being temporarily closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include furniture stores, home furnishing stores, clothing stores, shoe and clothing accessory stores, jewelry stores, luggage and leather goods stores, department stores, florists, sporting goods stores, bookstores, in addition to craft and music stores, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
McMaster made his initial order about nonessential businesses on March 31, and the thousands of stores that were listed had to be closed on April 1.
The order is temporary and is set to last for 15 days.
As was the case in the original order from the governor, businesses are still allowed to “provide alternate ways of purchasing or delivering products or services,” according to EMD.
This can include curbside purchase, pickup, or delivery; and home or off-site delivery, as long the businesses follow strict social distancing mandates.
State and federal public health guidelines, and guidance from safety officials must also be obeyed, according to EMD.
Among the businesses that were included in McMaster’s original order were 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.
“We’ve whittled it down to where we thought we could get the biggest impact and with the least disruption,” McMaster said on March 31. “We know there’s disruption for a lot of people, but we think that in our approach, which is to maximize efforts aggressively against the disease while attempting to avoid all but necessary dislocations is the right path to follow.”
The executive order does not apply to grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies and other businesses deemed essential. Takeout orders from restaurants and window orders from fast food restaurants will still be allowed. Big box stores such as Walmart and Target, which sell groceries and drugs, will also be allowed to stay open, as will banks and gas stations.
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.
Two businesses in Charleston were cited after they violated the governor’s order. They included a gym and a salon that sneaked customers in through the backdoor, Charleston police said.
South Carolina has not issued a stay-at-home order like many other states, or one that several other elected leaders have called for. McMaster says that’s because he wants to be as least disruptive to people’s lives as possible.
Cities around the state — including Columbia, Charleston and Mount Pleasant — have issued stay at home orders.
In addition to South Carolina, the other states currently without a stay at home order are Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
On Sunday, 132 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 2,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that four more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 44 in a month. State health officials described 42 of the people as elderly, two patients were middle-aged, and all but four had underlying medical conditions.
There have been 18,976 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 Monday morning, 1,280,046 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 70,356 people have died, while 270,098 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 337,933 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 9,653 deaths have been reported, including 3,048 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 9:04 AM.
