By Ray Rivera | May 11, 2020 at 2:57 PM EDT - Updated May 11 at 5:08 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Governor Henry McMaster announced that close contact businesses, which include gyms and hair salons, can reopen next week.
McMaster made the announcement during a press conference today and said close contact businesses, fitness centers, and public or commercial pools will be open in a limited capacity on Monday, May 18.
The governor’s office said close contact businesses include the following: 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 commercial gyms will include group exercise facilities such as yoga studios, barre classes, and others, according to the governor’s office.
“With our increased capacity for testing the people of our state, it is time to responsibly and gradually get these small businesses back up and running,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “We have an opportunity to set an example for the rest of the world by reinvigorating our economy while staying safe, but we can only do that if South Carolinians continue to follow the advice and recommendations of our public health experts.”
Health officials have developed general guidelines for close contact service providers, along with specific guidelines forcosmetology establishments,gyms and fitness centers, and public or commercial pools.
These guidelines include, but are not limited to the following:
- Guidance on social distancing within businesses, including recommended capacity requirements
- Additional cleaning and sanitizing guidelines for equipment, tables, chairs, etc.
- Additional guidance on health checks for employees
- Additional guidance on training for employees
The governor is continuing his press conference here.The governor will be joined by state public health officials.
Today, restaurants throughout South Carolina were allowed to reopen for limited dine-in services. McMaster established guidelines for restaurants to follow if and when they choose to open for dine-in services.
Those guidelines include only allowing 50% of posted occupancy inside, tables spaced 6 to 8 feet apart, additional guidance for health checks for all employees, and social distancing. A full list of guidelines can be found here.
In addition, McMaster lifted all boating restrictions. But social distancing is recommended and McMaster urged people to use common sense.
Copyright 2020 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Photo: Live 5 News