Cities, Counties in South Carolina Divided Over Reopening
South Carolina cities and counties appear to be divided over reopening. Myrtle Beach has issued reopening guidelines for the city that will begin as early as Monday as per the governor’s new order. However, Georgetown County Council has just voted to extend their state of emergency order through July 15th, with the exception of the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk allowed to reopen immediately. Conway and Surfside beach have also voted to extend their state of emergency orders for 60 more days. We will have more information regarding the various phased reopening plans on our website after the show.
Myrtle Beach:
May 18 – Parks and playground equipment will remain closed but dog parks will reopen under social distancing guidelines. Myrtle Market will be allowed to reopen.
May 23 – Pending the Governor’s orders the following will reopen: Playgrounds and picnic shelters, Matt Hughes State Park, tennis and outdoor pickleball courts. Sports tourism and events may also resume.
May 26 – Pending Governor’s orders the City Services lobby reopens with modifications.
June 1 – Pending Governor’s orders and state guidelines the following will reopen: Chapin Memorial Library, Doug Shaw Stadium, Midway Park and Pepper Geddings Outdoor basketball, corner field and hockey rink at Market Common. Special events including the Myrtle Beach Sports Center and Myrtle Beach Convention will resume, as well as Center City Council in-person meetings.
Georgetown County: extended their State of Emergency until July 15th. The Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Veteran’s Pier and Jetty View Walkway were all allowed to reopen immediately. The County Council will also resume in-person meetings Howard Auditorium immediately.
Conway: has extended their State of emergency for 60 more days but have released a reopening plan.
Phase one includes reopening tennis courts and eventually lessons, basketball courts for small groups only, the dog park, with social distancing measures, recreational fields for individual use with social distancing applying. They will also add outdoor hand sanitizing stations at each of these facilities.
Phase two would tentatively begin June 1 and includes reopening playgrounds with daily pressure washing, recreation centers, and city buildings to the public by appointment with limitations. Court will also resume at limited capacity.
Phase three of reopening cannot begin until social distancing measures are relaxed at a state level. This phase would include reopening all city buildings. summer recreation and day camps leagues would resume with pools reopening in full and on their normal daily routine. Special approved event will also be able to resume.
