South Carolina will begin allowing dine-in service at restaurants and bars beginning Monday as a part of the state's next stage of reopening.
The Phase 2 part of South Carolina's reopening designed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, will allow restaurants to fill to 50% capacity as long as the establishments are practicing social distancing.
"These recommendations, these policies, these suggestions are comprehensive. They are well thought out," McMaster said, who added, South Carolina's order gives police the power to arrest anyone gathering in groups of three or more is still in effect.
When McMaster removed the state's stay-at-home order May 4, he also allowed outdoor dining at restaurants to continue.
After restaurants in neighboring Georgia reopened in late April, reports showed people from out-of-state flocked to those establishments.
South Carolina has had 7,367 confirmed coronavirus cases and 320 deaths from the virus, according to the state's health department website.
States are grappling to reopen as they try to contain the burgeoning economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a spike in business closures and unemployment claims.
"People must continue wearing a mask and practicing social distancing," Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist, added at a press conference. "If not, they put themselves and others at risk."
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