Governor McMaster has issued a new executive order to allow restaurants to operate at full capacity starting Friday evening.
The order goes into effect immediately and lifts the 50% capacity restriction that restaurants have been under since reopening in May.
The governor kept the mask mandate in place for diners and employees. Diners may, of course, remove their masks for eating and drinking once seated.
“South Carolina is open for business” McMaster said again Friday. “Our state’s approach has been a measured, deliberate, and targeted one -- aimed at keeping our economy open and our people safe.”
The following measures are strongly encouraged, but are no longer required, according to the governor’s Executive Order:
Restaurants should space indoor and outdoor tables 6 feet apart, to the extent possible.
Restaurants should limit seating each table to no more than 8 customers and patrons, exclusive of family units or members of the same household.
Restaurants should adopt and enforce a process to ensure that customers and patrons are able to maintain a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other parties while waiting to be seated.
Restaurants should minimize, modify, or discontinue services that allow customers and patrons to fill or refill their own beverage cups.
The following provisions remain unchanged:
Discontinue self-service buffets or food stations to prevent customers and patrons from reusing service utensils to avoid potential physical contamination; however, employees may be permitted to dispense food via cafeteria-style buffet service.
The sale or consumption of beer, wine, or alcoholic liquor on the licensed premises of all persons or businesses authorized to sell beer, wine, or alcoholic liquor in the State of South Carolina (collectively, “Licensees”), as set forth below, is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. the following day.
The Governor’s announcement represents a huge vote of confidence to restaurateurs statewide for the exemplary way they have been dealing with the pandemic, always keeping the health and safety of their patrons and workforce as their top priority. Allowing restaurants to be completely open for indoor dining sends a clear, strong signal to our guests that they can comfortably savor world-class cuisine featuring South Carolina homegrown products while having a relaxing, safe experience.
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