On September 1, 2020, Horry County Council declared a localized state of emergency to adopt an ordinance to meet public emergencies affecting life, health, safety or the property of the people in our area. The declaration was to remain in effect for sixty (60) days unless sooner terminated by resolution by County Council.
Tonight, Horry County Council voted to end this Ordinance effective the end of October. The vote was unanimous.
The mandate required face masks to be worn in all public facilities. The Face Mask mandate expires with this emergency order vote.
Tonight the group voted not to extend the emergency ordinance beyond November 1st.
The ordinance ends November 1st.
This comes one night after the City of North Myrtle Beach chose to extend it’s mask ordinance until there is a vaccine.
The termination of the ordinance leaves a myriad of unresolved issues throughout the county.
Can a store owner post and require a mask to be worn in their business?
S.C. DHEC requires and the State of S.C. currently mandates for restaurants that masks be worn by servers working in Horry County.
How about a school located in the unincorporated area? County complex? Can they require masks worn inside building? Jury? A lot of issues issues to be resolved after tonight’s vote.
The City of Myrtle Beach face mask ordinance is also set to expire October 30th.
We will see if Myrtle Beach chooses to extend their ordinance as well.