May 1, 2020
This afternoon Governor Henry McMaster announced the Work-or-Home order will be lifted and returned to a voluntary status on Monday, May 4th. Governor McMaster also announced that restaurants throughout the state will be able to provide outdoor dining service in addition to curbside or take out services beginning on Monday.
Based on the advice of DHEC and the SC Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Governor established the following guidance for eating establishments who choose to open for outdoor seating:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Limit table groups to 8 individuals;
- Eliminate gatherings in the building when entering or exiting outdoor seating area;
- Maintain strict social/physical distancing guidelines;
- Tables, chairs, and seats should be sanitized after every customer
If open areas and/or temporary tents are utilized by existing, permitted restaurants, all sides of the tent must be open and the following conditions are required:
- Tables are to be spaced a minimum of 8 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table);
- Table groups are to be limited to 8 individuals;
- State approved fire extinguisher within 75 feet of tent area;
- Minimum of 7-foot-6 inch head room (ceiling height)
The Governor also lifted the executive order requiring people entering South Carolina from CDC “hotspots” to self-quarantine for two weeks and did not renew the executive order banning reservations for short term rentals and hotels for individuals coming from “hotspots”.
