South Carolina opens beaches, but local restrictions stay; North Carolina beaches open for exercise
Beaches will not totally reopen in Charleston County, South Carolina — no matter what Gov. Henry McMaster says or does this week related to easing coronavirus restrictions.
That’s what local officials said in a joint statement Sunday, a day after officials confirmed McMaster plans to reopen public beaches and ease retail restrictions this week.
Four Lowcountry coastal municipalities — Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Edisto Beach — “intend to maintain the entry checkpoints and access restrictions,” the statement reads.
“There is no evidence from medical professionals that indicates that the threat of COVID-19 in our region has diminished,” the joint statement said. “South Carolina is still in the acceleration phase and even with the reduction in growth of new cases, new cases could begin to grow quickly if social distancing restrictions are lifted.”
Charleston County Parks will also remain closed.
On March 30, McMaster ordered the closure of public access to the state’s beaches as well as the closure of boat ramps and landings on lakes, rivers and waterways. At the time, McMaster said the closure was in response to people not observing social distancing and other official recommendations to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
On Thursday, McMaster ordered the reopening of public boat ramps. It represents the first rollback of government-mandated restrictions on daily life since the coronavirus hit South Carolina.
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The boat ramp reopening prompted a call for the reopening of beaches to local citizens by Rep. Alan Clemmons, a Republican from Horry County.
“It’s time to let the average coastal resident find a little solace from the stress of isolation by taking a walk on the beach,” he said in a Facebook post sharing the official letter sent to McMaster urging the reopening.
In North Carolina, officials in Brunswick County’s Holden Beach, announced plans to open the beach for exercise purposes at noon on Tuesday. Discussions will take place Tuesday over opening nearby Oak Island and Sunset Beach.
Mayor J. Alan Holden said he wants people to follow social distancing protocols and use the Holden Beach for exercise. But he admits that enforcement might be an issue.
“We have seven members on our police force,” he said. “But there’s a lot of island to cover.”
Wrightsville Beach partially re-opened nearly all its beaches to nonstationary exercise activities at noon Monday, but continued the ban on public parking at its beach accesses.
Although the strand is now back open, beachgoers must abide social distancing guidelines such as limiting groups to ten 10 people and forgoing stationary activities, such as “sunbathing, sitting, (and) fishing.” Lifeguards also are not on duty.
Due to the cool weather and overcast skies for most of Monday, the beaches were largely empty with just a few surfers and joggers around.
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