Gov. McMaster Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Throughout State
Mar 31, 2020 05:09PM ● By David DykesGov. Henry McMaster ordered the closing of non-essential businesses throughout the state to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Among entertainment venues and facilities that will be closed beginning April 1 and for at least 15 days are:
- Night clubs
- Bowling alleys
- Arcades
- Concert venues
- Theaters, auditoriums, and performing arts centers
- Tourist attractions (including museums, aquariums, and planetariums)
- Racetracks
- Indoor children’s play areas (excluding daycare facilities)
- Adult entertainment venues
- Bingo halls
- Venues operated by social clubs.
Among recreational and athletics facilities and activities to be closed are:
- Fitness and exercise centers and commercial gyms
- Spas and public or commercial swimming pools
- Group exercise facilities, to include yoga, barre, and spin studios or facilities
- Spectator sports
- Sports that involve interaction with another person in close proximity and within less than six (6) feet of another person
- Activities that require the use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment
- Activities on commercial or public playground equipment.
Service providers to be closed are:
- Barber shops
- Hair salons
- Waxing salons
- Threading salons
- Nail salons and spas
- Body-art facilities and tattoo services
- Tanning salons
- Massage-therapy establishments and massage services.
McMaster said if a business has a question as to whether it qualifies as essential, it should complete a business clarification form on the South Carolina Department of Commerce website.
Questions also can be sent to [email protected], or business representatives can call 803-734-2873.
A team from South Carolina Department of Commerce will review the business’s request for clarification, and the business will receive a response with their determination, essential or non-essential, within 24 hours, McMaster said.
If a business is not explicitly addressed in the governor's executive order, the business should continue normal operations until a determination is made, the governor said.