Here are some places in SC that are not reopening yet as coronavirus cases rise
Not everything in South Carolina is reopening after Monday’s executive order from Gov. Henry McMaster.
Several businesses across the state are still considered nonessential during the coronavirus pandemic and do not have permission to open their doors.
Additionally, several state parks, properties, and facilities are remaining closed to visitors in spite of the green light from the governor.
These stores, venues, and public locations are staying closed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Entertainment venues, recreational facilities, athletic facilities, and close contact service businesses must still remain closed, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Barbershops, salons, and gyms are all still shuttered, according to the order. There also won’t be any concerts at Colonial Life Arena, performances at the Koger Center, or sporting events at Segra Park among other complexes, until McMaster issues another executive order.
“The governor’s ‘Stay at Home or Work’ order is still very much in effect,” EMD officials said. “You are responsible for your own personal health and safety. ... Stay home as much as possible.”
In the “home or work” order, McMaster restricted store capacity to five people inside per 1,000 square feet — or 20 percent of the posted capacity.
That still applies for the reopening businesses, which includes department stores, sporting goods stores, book, music, shoe and craft stores, jewelry stores, floral shops and other luggage and leather goods stores.
While those businesses will welcome back customers, visitors are told to stay away from several outdoor venues, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
The highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower, will remain closed to the public, DNR officials said in a news release.
Other state properties that remain off limits include Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, Capers Island, St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve islands, Fenwick Island, and Botany Bay beach access, according to the release.
Piers at 13 state lakes operated by DNR will also remain closed in spite of the governor’s order loosening restrictions on public access to beaches and waterways. Those bodies of water include Lake Ashwood (Lee County), Lake Cherokee (Cherokee County), Lake Edgar Brown (Barnwell), Lake Edwin Johnson (Spartanburg County), Lake George Warren (Hampton County), Lake John D. Long (Union County), Lake Oliphant (Chester County), Lake Paul Wallace (Marlboro County), Lake Thicketty (Cherokee), and Mountain Lake 1&2 (Chester County).
The venues are staying closed because “ensuring the health and safety of staff and visitors as our first priority,” DNR officials said in the release.
All state parks will be closed through the end of April, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism announced in March.
On Monday, 64 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 4,439 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 124. State health officials described 106 of the people as elderly, 18 patients were middle-aged, and all but 17 are confirmed to have had underlying medical conditions.
“There is currently no cure or vaccine,” EMD said.
Cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina will continue rising into early May, State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said Monday.
“At this point, we don’t have good trend data to say we’re having a consistent decline,” Bell said.
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.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
As of Tuesday morning, 2,492,963 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 171,152 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 787,960 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 42,364 deaths have been reported, including 14,604 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 12:54 PM.
