An ordinance requiring people to wear face coverings in indoor public places in the City of Beaufort went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. Read the full ordinance here.
Q. Why is the City doing this?
A. Covid-19 is spreading more rapidly in both the State of South Carolina and Beaufort County. Read DHEC page here on daily stats. One of City Council’s responsibilities is to protect the health and welfare of those who live, work, and visit the City of Beaufort. Masks help to curtail the spread of Covid-19. For months, the CDC and DHEC have urged the public to wear masks. Not enough people are doing this, so this ordinance became necessary.
Q. What public places are included?
A. Any building open to the public within the City of Beaufort, which includes grocery stores, big-box stores, restaurants, salons, pharmacies, fitness centers and gyms. This ALSO includes public and commercial transportation, such as tours. This ALSO applies to curbside pickups and home/business deliveries.
Q. Does this include the public AND employees of the retail establishment?
A. Yes.
Q. Does this include parks, playgrounds, etc.?
A. No. This only applies to indoor spaces. However, people are asked to continue social distancing outside.
Q. What kind of masks are allowed?
A. Any face covering that covers both your nose and mouth is acceptable.
Note: This DHEC resource page includes a video on making a simple cloth mask at home, and how to clean cloth masks.
Q. Do children have to wear masks?
A. Children who are old enough to tolerate masks without removing them should wear masks.
Q. I have a medical condition that makes it very hard for me to wear a mask. What should I do?
A. If you have a medical condition that keeps you from wearing a mask, you do not have to. Please be sure to keep your distance from others when you are in public indoor spaces.
Q. I want to go to a restaurant. What am I supposed to do about a mask?
A. Please wear your mask going into the restaurant, and if you have to walk around the restaurant for any reason, such as using the restrooms. Obviously, you cannot wear a mask while eating and drinking.
Q. How will this be enforced?
A. Education and voluntary compliance are the desired means of enforcement. We want people to wear masks because it’s the right thing to do! However, employers who do not require their employees to wear masks may be subject to various penalties under this ordinance. Members of the public who are not wearing masks will first be given a warning, with a fine of $50 for repeated violations. Those who observe repeated violations can email Beaufort’s Codes Department: citycodes@cityofbeaufort.org.
Q. Where can I find free masks?
A. If you can afford to buy masks, please do. However, there are retail establishments around the area that have a supply of free masks for the public (and it would be great if you patronized the stores while picking up a mask.) These include:
Bill’s Liquor and Fine Wines, 132 Sea Island Parkway
Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St.
Lulu Burgess, 917 Bay St.
Beaufort River Glass, 812 Bay St.
Grounded Running, 2139 Boundary St., #108
Mobile 1 Lube Express, 181 Sea Island Parkway
95 Praise Radio, 907 Craven St.
Zen Den, 707 Paris Avenue, Port Royal
Macdonald Marketplace, 853 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island
Collectors Antique Mall, 102 C Sea Island Parkway, Lady’s Island
FWDG, 745 Robert Smalls Parkway
Healthy Churches Consortium
Dale, SC
Mrs. Shirley Perry
shirleybperry@yahoo.com
Atelier on Bay, 203 West St.
Chapman’s Grocery, West Street
Budget Print, 510 Carteret St.
City Nails, 67 Lady’s Island Drive
Otis Dry Goods, 202-A Carteret St.
Oyster Cay Collection, Port Republic St.
Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Services, Chelsea, and other clinics
Beaufort County Ministerial Association