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Charleston Business

Gov. McMaster Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Throughout State

Mar 31, 2020 05:09PM ● By David Dykes

Gov. 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.