UPDATE 8:41 P.M. MAY 11th: MyrtleBeachSC News has just been informed that this order can not take affect without the consent of S.C. Superintendent of Education: Molly Spearman
See message from Ryan Brown, Chief Communications Officer SC Dept. Of Education at bottom of article.
S.C. Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2021-23 today empowering parents to decide whether their children should wear face masks to school.
His post on Facebook reads:
Today I am issuing Executive Order 2021-23, which empowers South Carolina parents to decide whether their children…
Posted by Henry McMaster on Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Message From Ryan
District Superintendents, This evening Governor McMaster issued Executive Order 2021-23, attached, that has language pertaining to the use of face coverings in South Carolina public schools. Due to the lateness of the Order, the legal ambiguities, and the absence of a DHEC opt out form, the state face covering guidelines will remain in effect until such time as the agency has the opportunity to confer with legal counsel and provide further guidance. As noted in the Order, face covering requirements as they relate to students and staff on school buses have not changed as a result of President’s Executive Order No. 13998 (Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel) (Jan. 21, 2021); CDC Order Under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 264) and 42 C.F.R. §§ 70.2, 71.31(b), 71.32(b) (Requirement for Persons to Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs) (Jan. 29, 2021).
Ryan Brown
Chief Communications Officer
South Carolina Department of Education