South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Friday lifting the mask requirement in restaurants and state government buildings.Despite lifting the requirement, the new executive order still recommends masks be worn in restaurants.It also allows state agencies to begin the process of bringing remaining state employees back to the workplace on a full-time basis. “Now that the majority of South Carolinians are eligible to receive the vaccine, and infections and hospitalizations have dropped significantly, state agency heads may safely bring back the last group of state employees working remotely,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement about the governor’s decision:“We are incredibly disappointed to see that Governor McMaster has rescinded mask requirements for restaurants, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sicken and kill South Carolinians. In order to score political points, he is racing to strip away what few safeguards were in place to protect our state. Under the false guise of protecting personal liberties, which were never being violated, he is making reckless decisions. This is no way to lead in a time of crisis. “Rescinding mask requirements in restaurants is in direct opposition to CDC guidelines, and studies have proven that dining out is one of the quickest ways the coronavirus can spread. To say that patrons and employees no longer have to wear face coverings simply encourages that spread. To date, DHEC reports that in our state over 500,000 have been infected and over 8,000 have died from this virus. The Governor continues to ignore scientific evidence, ignore the opinions of healthcare professionals, and put South Carolinians in grave danger.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Friday lifting the mask requirement in restaurants and state government buildings.
Despite lifting the requirement, the new executive order still recommends masks be worn in restaurants.
It also allows state agencies to begin the process of bringing remaining state employees back to the workplace on a full-time basis.
“Now that the majority of South Carolinians are eligible to receive the vaccine, and infections and hospitalizations have dropped significantly, state agency heads may safely bring back the last group of state employees working remotely,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.
The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement about the governor’s decision:
“We are incredibly disappointed to see that Governor McMaster has rescinded mask requirements for restaurants, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sicken and kill South Carolinians. In order to score political points, he is racing to strip away what few safeguards were in place to protect our state. Under the false guise of protecting personal liberties, which were never being violated, he is making reckless decisions. This is no way to lead in a time of crisis.
“Rescinding mask requirements in restaurants is in direct opposition to CDC guidelines, and studies have proven that dining out is one of the quickest ways the coronavirus can spread. To say that patrons and employees no longer have to wear face coverings simply encourages that spread. To date, DHEC reports that in our state over 500,000 have been infected and over 8,000 have died from this virus. The Governor continues to ignore scientific evidence, ignore the opinions of healthcare professionals, and put South Carolinians in grave danger.”