March 24, 2020

Governor McMaster’s Executive Order

In yesterday’s press conference, Governor McMaster gave law enforcement the clarification on their ability under the existing state of emergency to disperse groups of three or more if (at their discretion) they pose a hazard to public safety. He did not limit public congregation to three people. Public congregation guidelines set forth by President Trump are still ten or less and do not apply to private businesses. A copy of the executive order is available here

Governor McMaster later stated, “This weekend, we saw large crowds gathered on beaches, on sandbars, and in parking lots. We are facing a dangerous and deadly enemy and this type of behavior is both irresponsible and selfish. Law enforcement asked for clarification as to how this existing law applies during this state of emergency. I have included it in an executive order to make it clear that law enforcement has the ability to disperse groups of people who pose a risk to the public’s safety and to the safety of others.  It does not apply to private businesses nor to responsible South Carolinians continuing to make the best out of this situation. And as I said, this is not a shelter-in-place order but another measure aimed at containing the virus by controlling crowds, so that we do not have to shelter in place.”