Where do you have to wear a mask? Taking a look at SC’s new rules
South Carolina officials have created a patchwork of mask requirements across the state as the coronavirus continues to spread.
According to the S.C. Municipal Association, about 42% of South Carolinians live in a city or county with some sort of mask rule.
But what areas have them? Which don’t? And how will S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s latest executive order requiring masks in certain businesses and public places change things?
Here’s what South Carolinians need to know about wearing a mask.
What are the rules statewide?
McMaster issued an executive order last week that included limited mask requirements across the state.
Starting Monday, masks or face coverings will be required in all restaurants and entertainment venues that attract groups of people, including gyms, theaters, parks, racetracks and auditoriums.
Masks also will be required in state government buildings starting Wednesday.
McMaster’s mask rule does not extend to retailers or grocery stores because many large chains like Walmart already require customers to wear masks while inside stores, the governor said.
McMaster’s order also does not apply to parking lots, sidewalks or other outdoor public areas.
The governor called on local officials to pass their own mask requirements and ordered local police to enforce the mask rules included in his executive order.
Mask rules around the Midlands
Mask rules vary depending on the city or county that adopted them.
In Columbia, anyone over the age of 10 must wear a mask in public settings, including restaurants, stores and other gathering places. Employees also are required to wear them while working. Individuals found in violation of the order could face a $25 fine and businesses could face a $100 fine.
Camden’s order applies to people who are inside of businesses or buildings that are open to the public or who are waiting to enter those buildings. Masks have to be worn by people who are interacting with people in outdoor public spaces. They also have to be worn on public transportation and while walking in public when social distancing is not possible.
In Cayce, residents and visitors over the age of 10 and employees must wear masks when in buildings that are open to the general public. Violators can face a $25 fine and businesses could face a $100 fine.
Forest Acres officials ordered that anyone over the age of 10 and all employees must wear masks while in businesses or other buildings that are open to the public. Violators can face a $25 fine, and businesses can face a $100 fine.
In Irmo, residents 10 or older have to wear masks while inside of restaurants and retail businesses. The order does not apply to restaurant patios where social distancing is possible. Violators can face a fine of $25.
Lexington residents 10 or older have to wear masks in local grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail establishments. Officials also “strongly encouraged” people to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible.
Across Richland County, residents 10 or older have to wear a mask when entering a commercial establishment. Employees have to wear masks while face to face with a customer. Masks are not required during outdoor physical activity if people are practicing social distancing. Individuals can face a $25 fine if they are in violation.
In Sumter, customers and staff in retail and food service locations are required to wear masks, but customers are not required to wear them on restaurant patios where social distancing is possible. There is a $50 fine in place for violators.
West Columbia officials ordered everyone 10 or older to wear masks while in restaurants or retail settings or on city property. Masks are not required on restaurant patios when social distancing is possible. Residents aged 10 and older are required to wear them unless they are exclusively with family members. Violators face a $25 fine.
Are masks beneficial?
Yes. Many South Carolina cities with mask orders saw a decrease in the spread of the coronavirus in the weeks following their implementation, according to a State newspaper analysis of Department of Health and Environmental Control data.
Masks not only provide some protection to the wearer, they also shield others around them from potential coronavirus infection. The more people who wear masks, the more effective they are, experts say.
Which cities and counties have mask requirements?
As of Friday, 99 cities and counties in South Carolina had passed laws or resolutions requiring or urging their residents to wear masks in certain areas, according to the S.C. Municipal Association.
The following municipalities have mask legislation on the books:
Cities and counties that have some form of mask requirement:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Andrews
- Arcadia Lakes
- Atlantic Beach
- Bamberg County
- Beaufort
- Beaufort County
- Bethune
- Bishopville
- Bluffton
- Branchville
- Camden
- Cayce
- Central
- Charleston
- Charleston County
- Chester
- Clemson
- Colleton County
- Columbia
- Conway
- Cordova
- Dorchester County
- Edisto Beach
- Florence
- Folly Beach
- Forest Acres
- Fort Mill
- Georgetown
- Georgetown County
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Harleyville
- Hilton Head Island
- Holly Hill
- Horry County
- Isle of Palms
- Irmo
- James Island
- Kiaway Island
- Kingstree
- Lake City
- Lexington
- Livingston
- Manning
- McClellanville
- Mount Pleasant
- Myrtle Beach
- Newberry
- Neeses
- New Ellenton
- North
- North Charleston
- North Myrtle Beach
- Norway
- Orangeburg
- Orangeburg County
- Port Royal
- Richland County
- Ridgeville
- Rock Hill
- Rowesville
- Santee
- Seabrook Island
- Spartanburg
- Saint George
- Sullivan’s Island
- Summerville
- Sumter
- Traveler’s Rest
- Vance
- Walterboro
- Williamsburg County
- Winnsboro
- West Columbia
- Woodford
- Yemassee
Cities and counties that have some form of resolution encouraging mask wearing:
- Allendale
- Clinton
- Clover
- Easley
- Fountain Inn
- Gaffney
- Goose Creek
- Greer
- Hanahan
- Hardeeville
- Harsville
- Kershaw
- Lancaster
- Laurens
- Marion
- North Augusta
- Pine Ridge
- Ravenel
- Surfside Beach
- Tega Cay
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Where do you have to wear a mask? Taking a look at SC’s new rules."
