Masks required at South Carolina state parks ‘effective immediately,’ department says

When visiting one of South Carolina’s 47 state parks, bring a mask.

State park officials announced Monday that, “effective immediately,” park guests older than 2 are required to wear face coverings in any area “staffed by employees or where the general public may congregate.”

Those areas include “park offices, visitor centers, stores, nature centers, restrooms or while touring any indoor facility being considered for rent,” park officials said in a statement posted to Facebook.

Anyone who shows up without a mask will be asked to wait outside the park, and employees will be sent to assist and accommodate them “if possible,” it said.

The announcement comes in the absence of a statewide mask mandate and just two days after South Carolina saw a record high number of new coronavirus cases, at 2,239.

South Carolina is a coronavirus hot spot not only nationally, but globally as well, The State reported.

“We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to stop the spread and protect our visitors and employees,” the SC parks statement said.

Employees will not enforce the new mask policy for rental facilities, such as cabins, campsites and picnic shelters, but officials recommend renters follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for their own safety.

While experts say there’s still risk of catching the coronavirus outdoors, it’s significantly safer than being inside, according to the CDC.

Not everyone is pleased with the decision park officials have made.

“How ridiculous is this! Masks can not be enforced,” Maryellen Berti commented on the Facebook post.

“BS. not going to any more SC parks. You are not going to control me.” Charleton Bagwell said.

Still, comments on the post were mostly supportive.

“Thank you for doing this, not only for your visitors, but for you volunteers, and staff! Yet this is another reason I love SC State Parks!!” Mitchell Nelson said.

“Thank you for taking the health and safety of our community seriously and listening to the medical and scientific community on the importance of mask wearing. This isn’t politics, it’s science!” Lucy Owens commented.