McMaster eases restrictions on theaters, sports venues, concerts. Here are the details
Gov. Henry McMaster is allowing sports stadiums, theaters, concert venues and other places that have large gatherings to reopen in South Carolina beginning on Monday, Aug. 3.
However, those places, which can often hold thousands of people, will have their posted occupancy slashed.
Under the executive order issued Wednesday, McMaster is limiting those places to 250 people or 50% of the posted occupancy, whichever is less. And those venues must “require the wearing of masks or face coverings as a condition of admission or participation.”
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the businesses and venues covered under this order include “festivals, parades, concerts, theaters, stadiums, arenas, coliseums, auditoriums, grandstands, amphitheaters, gymnasiums, concert halls, dance halls, performing arts centers, parks, racetracks, or similarly operated entities.”
“Frankie’s fun park, there’s one here in Columbia. Customers and employees, they have to wear a mask when they go in there,” McMaster said. “Movie theatres are getting ready to open. You have to follow these rules to go see your favorite movie — have some distancing, you have to wear a mask.”
There could be exceptions made to the 250 maximum number of people allowed to gather. If an event organizer wants to have an event with more than 250 people, they would need to get approval from the state Department of Commerce and show social distancing can still take place, despite there being more people.
Football games, both high school and college, can still take place if they are approved.
“High school football games will be able to be played if the high school league plan is approved by the Department of Commerce,” McMaster said.
Will fans be able to attend the games?
“Don’t know,” McMaster replied.
The news comes as high schools in the state move forward with plans to play a fall sports season, if health conditions allow.
As it stands now, high school competitions won’t begin until at least early September, with the first football games scheduled for Sept. 11.
The ACC announced Wednesday afternoon that its teams will play a 10-game league schedule, with one out of conference game in 2020. Clemson’s first game will take place the week of Sept. 7-12, with the regular-season finale occurring the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 5.
The SEC is still finalizing its plan for the 2020 football season.
Darlington Raceway is scheduled to hold its traditional Labor Day NASCAR event on Sept. 6. It has yet to be determined if fans will be allowed for the race.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 4:15 PM.
