Masks are required in public places in Myrtle Beach, beginning Friday, July 3

The Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously supported a public mask requirement during a special Council meeting on Thursday.  City Manager John Pedersen issued the executive order which requires residents and visitors to wear a cloth facemask at retail and foodservice establishments, as well as in public spaces at overnight accommodations.   

Customers must wear a mask in enclosed areas of retail stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, personal care businesses, professional services and gyms and fitness centers, with limited exceptions.  Retail, restaurant and accommodation staff also must wear masks whenever they are in public areas or working with the public.  Failure to wear a mask when required is a civil infraction with a fine of up to $100 upon conviction. 

Exemptions from the mask requirement, assuming you can accomplish social distancing of six feet or more, include the beach, when walking, when doing indoor or outdoor physical activity, in a car, in an unenclosed area or a retail or foodservice establishment, while actually eating, when working in a private office, within the same household as other family members or when an underlying medical condition precludes wearing a mask.

The emergency order requiring masks in public is in place through Labor Day, unless lifted earlier.  City Council members encouraged residents and visitors to voluntarily comply with the order for the health and safety of all.  Many residents and visitors have requested such a mask requirement as the number of COVID-19 cases in Horry County has risen.

Businesses whose staff are repeatedly cited for not wearing masks could be declared public nuisances and have their business license suspended. 

Go to https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/coronavirus/index.php  to see the executive order and FAQs