Governor Henry McMaster has issued an executive order that prohibits any county or local government in the state from relying on prior executive orders or using the state of emergency as the basis for a local mask mandate. The governor has directed DHEC – in consultation with the S.C. Department of Education – to develop and distribute a form that parents, or legal guardians can sign that would allow their child to opt-out of masks requirements imposed by public schools. This order also bars all state agencies and local governments from requiring proof of vaccination as a condition for receiving government services or entry to public buildings.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (May 22, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (May 7, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (April 22, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (April 7, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (March 23, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster has modified existing emergency orders to allow state department agency heads to begin the process of facilitating the return of state employees to the workplace on a full-time basis. This order also rescinds mandatory mask safety measures in government offices and buildings.
Governor Henry McMaster has rescinded previous emergency orders, allowing for the sale and consumption of alcohol on premises of restaurants and bars. This order also lifts gathering restrictions that were previously set at 250 people.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (March 8, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (February 21, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (February 6, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (January 22, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (January 7, 2021) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (December 23rd) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (December 8th) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (November 23rd) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (November 8th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (October 24th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (October 9th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (September 24th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (September 9th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (August 25th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of Emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (August 10th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Governor McMaster extends the state of Emergency in South Carolina for another 15 days (July 26th) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the increasing cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, Governor McMaster renewed the state of emergency which ended on June 11. This state of emergency will run for 15 days (July 10) to ensure quick responses to the growing COVID-19 outbreak in South Carolina.
Amid the increasing cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, Governor McMaster renewed the state of emergency which ended on June 11. This state of emergency will run for 15 days (July 10) to ensure quick responses to the growing COVID-19 outbreak in South Carolina.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency for South Carolina another 15 days (June 11) to ensure the state can react quickly in the fight against COVID-19. The first COVID-related state of emergency was issued on March 13 and the second on May 12.
This Executive Order allows the reopening of close-contact businesses that were closed due to COVID-19 including entertainment venues, facilities, services and activities effective May 22, 2020.
This executive order authorizes the re-opening of close contact businesses, venues and facilities which were previously deemed “non-essential.” Establishments that re-open will be subject to guidelines established by the CDC, DHEC and recommendations provided by acclerateSC.
Governor Henry McMaster extends the state of emergency for South Carolina for 15 additional days (until May 27). The first COVID-related state of emergency order for South Carolina was issued on March 13.
GovernorMcMaster issues an executive order that will allow close contact businesses to reopen on May 18. This group of businesses includes barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors and massage services. Commercial gyms can also open, including yoga studios, barre classes, and others.
In an effort to reopen the state, Governor McMaster lifted the ‘home or work’ order, which allowed citizens to only partake in essential activities. Along with this, restaurants will be allowed to serve customers outdoors starting Monday, May 4th.
This executive order ends mandatory self-quarantine, lodging and travel restrictions for individuals entering South Carolina from high risk areas.
Governor McMaster issued a new state of emergency order for South Carolina on April 27, 2020. The new executive order will remain in effect for 15 days — until May 12 — unless the order is modified, amended, or rescinded. This is the third state of emergency order declared by McMaster since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The previous state of emergency was set to expire on April 27.
Governor McMaster re-opened the first wave of nonessential businesses to begin the revitalization of South Carolina’s economy including department stores, craft stores, jewelry stores, sporting goods stores, florists and flea markets. These stores must operate at 20% of their listed capacity or 5 customers per 1,000 square foot of store space. This order also reopens the state’s beaches with social distancing measures still in place.
This executive order is the first step in reopening our state, as public boat ramps to the lakes, rivers and the ocean can be reopened to facilitate outdoor exercise and recreational activity. Social distancing measures are still in place and groups of three are still subject to be broken up by law enforcement.
Governor McMaster renewed the state of emergency, which maintains previous orders for another 15 days.
Governor McMaster authorized and directed the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce to interpret furloughed employees due to COVID-19 as unemployed; therefore, being able to apply for unemployment benefits.
Governor McMaster ordered a mandatory home or work order where South Carolinians are to remain home unless they are visiting family, exercising or obtaining essential goods or services.
Retail stores were deemed “non-essential” businesses and to be closed in conjunction with those of Executive Order 2020-17.
This order suspends short term rentals including hotels, vacation homes, condos and time shares for people traveling from CDC identified high-risk populations. (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the City of New Orleans)
Additional actions were taken to enforce social distancing through the closure of “non-essential” businesses, venues, facilities and close-contact service providers for 15 days.
This order closed all public beach access points and public boat landings on state owned lakes.
Public schools and publicly funded state colleges and universities are ordered to remain closed for students and non-essential employees through the month of April.
Individuals who enter South Carolina from areas with substantial community spread, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the City of New Orleans to self-quarantine for 14 days from the time they enter the state.
Governor McMaster instructed law enforcement to disperse public gatherings of three or more people with violations resulting in a misdemeanor.
This order facilitates social distancing practices to mitigate significant economic impacts on small businesses and restaurants and allows the sale of closed container beer and wine to-go.
All non -essential state employees were ordered to stay home from work or work from home. The General Assembly passed the $45 million funding for DHEC.
This executive order required the mandatory shutdown of all dine-in services for restaurants and bars. It also includes the delay of the state tax deadline to June 1st and decreased the public gathering recommendation to not exceed 50 people.
Public schools and state-supported colleges and universities in the state were forced to close for students and non-essential employees through the end of March. The order also encourages public gatherings to not exceed 100 people.
Governor McMaster declared a State of Emergency along with announcing the closure of all public schools in Kershaw and Lancaster Counties. This order directs $45 million from the Contingency Reserve Fund to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to aid in coordinating the State’s public health response to be allocated by the General Assembly.
The first executive order in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus directed state officials to convene with the Public Health Emergency Plan Committee and activated the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan.
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State Fiscal Recovery Fund ($2,499,067,329)
Department of Transportation: $453,499,758
Rural Infrastructure Authority: $900,000,000
Office of Regulatory Staff: $400,000,000
Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC): $104,400,000
Office of Resilience: $100,000,000
Department of Administration: $8,000,000
$185,765,655 authorized for expenditure by the Office of Regulatory Staff’s $400,000,000 allocation comes from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. (Discrepancies in total allocation come from initial projections compared to what the state ultimately received)
South Carolina received Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) for 79 colleges and universities. Half of the funds are to be used to provide direct relief to students.
Community Colleges
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Minority Serving Institutions
Other Colleges and Universities
Strengthening Institutions Program
Proprietary Institutions
No current updates
Public Health Workforce: $45,011,398
SC DHEC (labs, immunization, emergency response): $210,706,711
Remaining: $166,472,107 as of August 31, 2022
Mental Health Block Grant: $21,480,779
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) was awarded $21,480,779 to support South Carolinians with mental illness over four years. The following funding amounts are per-year amounts for 4 years.
Substance Abuse Block Grant: $19,199,380
Administration - $759,969.00
Prevention (Contractual Services) - $3,839,876.00
Intervention (Contractual Services) - $1,432,438.00
Women’s Services (Contractual Services) - $959,969.00
Treatment (Contractual Services) - $9,787,190.00
Recovery (Contractual Services) - $2,419,938.00
The Department of Health & Human Services was allocated $80,000,000 to invest into Home and Community Based Services through March of 2024.
*These funds are not included in the $192,651,418 as it was allocated after the initial allotments
Berkeley – Charleston – Dorchester Council of Government $650,000
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority $563,800