Gov. McMaster to reopen SC’s public boat docks, stressing social distancing
Residents will be able to use public docks and boat landings to get back onto waterways, but will have to continue to follow social distancing orders to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday announced he’s allowing public boat docks to re-open in the state for fishing and recreation. The order goes into effect Friday at noon. Public access to beaches, however, will remain closed.
“It is a small step and there will be more,” McMaster said. “We asked people to take life easy, to recreate, and get out and exercise. A lot of that happens on the water. A lot of families like to get out on the water ... But we insist, don’t have any large gatherings. Do the things we have asked you to do before and we will be fine.
“If you are on a boat, fishing with your son, daughter or family, there is very little risk there.”
McMaster said law enforcement and department of natural resources will still enforce the rules of three or people together. He has been pleased with how people have been complying with the rules and that is why it was time to open things back up.
Families will be able to go out onto the waterways, but have to remain in constant motion, McMaster’s office said. Boaters setting an anchor while on the water may only do so for recreational fishing. Large gatherings on the water, such as those possible on pontoon boats, remain prohibited.
McMaster announced the order at a press conference Thursday during which he also shared some “broad strokes” of how the state’s economy will ramp back up. McMaster will announce next week details of Accelerate SC to get the economy back going.
“We see the end in sight,” McMaster said.
In a letter to House Speaker Jay Lucas and Senate President Harvey Peeler, McMaster said he believes and hopes the risk for exposure to the coronavirus should diminish by late June, allowing businesses and activities in the state to safely resume as the public continued to follow personal safety precautions.
The governor closed public beaches and boat docks on March 30, after crowds formed on beaches and waterways despite calls from health officials for people to socially distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
McMaster has given police the authority to break up groups of three or more people if law enforcement believe they pose a risk to public health.
The decision was made in collaboration with legislators who have been calling for the idea, McMaster’s office said.
House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a Richland County Democrat, called on the governor to take this step, while advising people to continue to socially distance while out on water.
“South Carolinians have listened and because of their diligence South Carolina is witnessing positive progress in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. These are steps to begin the long process of responsibly bringing back our state,” Rutherford said in a statement. “While we begin to take these first steps, we have to a responsibility to our healthcare professionals to be smart about our actions and continue to take the necessary precautions to avoid overwhelming hospitals again.”
State Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican who represents coastal Beaufort County, also urged McMaster to ease restrictions.
“I understood and shared Gov. Henry McMaster’s disappointment with those relatively few people who didn’t social-distance on our beaches and sandbars; however, closing all our public waterway accesses was too draconian,” Davis said on Facebook earlier this week.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 5:04 PM.
