Beaufort, Port Royal will require masks into the fall. What to know before going out
Residents and visitors in the city of Beaufort and town of Port Royal will continue to be required to wear masks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Beaufort leaders extended a face mask requirement through Nov. 1 during a City Council meeting on Tuesday. Port Royal Town Council agreed to require masks until its next meeting Oct. 14.
In Beaufort County last week, 16.2 percent of tests were positive.
The area has seen fewer daily cases since mid-August, but the number of COVID-19 tests in the county has also dropped. State health officials on Monday reclassified the county as having high, not medium, recent disease spread.
The city of Beaufort’s rules require people to wear masks inside buildings open to the public. They also require employees of businesses to wear masks when in areas open to the public and when around other employees. There are exceptions for those who can’t wear a mask because of age or health issues.
Violating the city ordinance is a civil infraction, and a $50 fine is the penalty after a warning. Businesses found to violate the rule repeatedly could be subject to a court injunction or a suspended or revoked business license.
In Port Royal, anyone entering a commercial building open to the public in the town must wear a mask. Businesses must require employees to wear them when interacting with the public.
A violation could lead to a civil penalty: up to a $50 fine.
Both municipalities have encouraged voluntary compliance over penalties.
In addition to the mask rules, Beaufort leaders extended temporary leases spaces allowing restaurants to offer more outdoor seating in downtown Beaufort through Nov. 1. Free parking in the Beaufort Downtown Marina lot on Fridays and Saturdays will also continue, and the city extended a waiver allowing 9 a.m. horse carriage tours downtown.
Council members declined to close streets for a First Friday event in November meant to promote downtown businesses, referencing Gov. Henry McMaster’s order limiting large groups at outdoor events to fewer than 250 people.
This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 10:36 AM.
